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The Iron King
(The Iron Fey #1)
by
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses ...more
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses ...more
Paperback, 363 pages
Published
January 19th 2010
by Harlequin Teen
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Adrienne
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

ICOFA (InCase of Fairy Abduction)
In the event that you are abducted by fairies, please adhere to the following guidelines so that I don't have to watch or read about you blundering through fairyland like an incompetent idiot.
1. Never thank a fairy for services rendered.
2. Never eat fairy food.
3. Never dance with fairies.
4. Never strike a bargain with a fairy unless you've agreed on the fine points.
The Iron King is a book about a sixteen year old girl, Meghan Chase. Can I advise all people readi ...more
In the event that you are abducted by fairies, please adhere to the following guidelines so that I don't have to watch or read about you blundering through fairyland like an incompetent idiot.
1. Never thank a fairy for services rendered.
2. Never eat fairy food.
3. Never dance with fairies.
4. Never strike a bargain with a fairy unless you've agreed on the fine points.
The Iron King is a book about a sixteen year old girl, Meghan Chase. Can I advise all people readi ...more

Apr 22, 2013
Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
all-time-favorites
3rd reread: May 15, 2017. I still love this book to pieces. Ash, you sexy motherfucker.
I know that a lot of people might be surprised that I like this book, considering I tend to rip other fantasy YA to pieces. I just don't think it's bad. I don't think Meghan was annoying, she reacted appropriately freaked out at times, but that's reasonable. I think Ash is **HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG** there's a reason he's one of my 3 book boyfriends.
Grimalkin is absolutely a devilish little delight. Puck wa ...more
I know that a lot of people might be surprised that I like this book, considering I tend to rip other fantasy YA to pieces. I just don't think it's bad. I don't think Meghan was annoying, she reacted appropriately freaked out at times, but that's reasonable. I think Ash is **HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG** there's a reason he's one of my 3 book boyfriends.
Grimalkin is absolutely a devilish little delight. Puck wa ...more

DNF
I tried.
I really, really tried.
But this just wasn't my jam.
I picked it up at least three different times and no dice.
Onward!
XXXXXXXXX
When you are interested in a book by an author you've never read before...
...which is priced at $7.99...and you discover your library has it in ebook form for FREE.
I tried.
I really, really tried.
But this just wasn't my jam.
I picked it up at least three different times and no dice.
Onward!
XXXXXXXXX
When you are interested in a book by an author you've never read before...
...which is priced at $7.99...and you discover your library has it in ebook form for FREE.


I've had 'The Iron Fey' series sitting on my Audible shelf for quite some time. Paranormal/Fantasy isn't my "go-to" genre, but I was curious about this series after seeing some great reviews for it. Yet, every time that I was in the mood for this type of story there always seemed to be another book released that was higher up on my TBR priorities.
I finally got around to listening to this audiobook on a recent cross-country family road trip. Since my children, as well as my 89 year-old grandmoth ...more
I finally got around to listening to this audiobook on a recent cross-country family road trip. Since my children, as well as my 89 year-old grandmoth ...more

Wow!- As many others have stated, at first glance THE IRON KING appears to be your typical faerie book. Summer court? Check. Winter court? Check. Shakespeare-esque characters? Check. Yes there are similarities, but these lie only in the bare backbone of the story. Yes there are those faerie courts and A Midsummer Night's Dream characters (Oberon, Titania, etc), but they are necessary for the make-up of the story. From here on out, Julie Kagawa makes THE IRON KING shine in the already-faerie inun
...more


NO!
I almost DNF-ed this one. It just irritated me to no end :(
But then I met Ash. He deserves the 3 stars here <3

You know, sometimes less is more.
The Iron Fey universe obviously doesn't know of the concept "less" :(((
Up to 40%, the heroine sees about a 150 different creatures, a bit less in the second half but overall she sees a million of them and they're all described like crazy. I know, now you're thinking, Blacky you're a moron or your brain is non-existent for not being able to cope with ...more

Before everything else,I need to express my strong belief in the existence of fairies,because they would perish without our dreams and thoughts and hopes.I've got your back guys,I will not let you fade into oblivion!

As you can see,Meghan's life is not that simple.She used to be the girl that lived by the swamp,an outcast,until her 16th birthday,when a creature disguised as her little brother trie ...more

"Yeah,Mom,Ethan’s turned into a monster and my best friend thinks he’s a faery.How was your day?"
As you can see,Meghan's life is not that simple.She used to be the girl that lived by the swamp,an outcast,until her 16th birthday,when a creature disguised as her little brother trie ...more

Final rating: 3/5 stars
Final rating - for the whole series: 3.5/5 stars


To venture in a world of The Iron Fey, you must proceed with this knowledge:
1. This is not a book about fairies like these:

Imagine evil - well, not all of them are evil- ELVES, so called FAERY or plural FEY.
2. They don't have wings (well, most of them don't) and there are many of them like dryads, goblins, gremlins, kelpies, ogres and so on and on.
3. In this world, fey are not to be trusted! They will always go for favors and ...more
Final rating - for the whole series: 3.5/5 stars


To venture in a world of The Iron Fey, you must proceed with this knowledge:
1. This is not a book about fairies like these:

Imagine evil - well, not all of them are evil- ELVES, so called FAERY or plural FEY.
2. They don't have wings (well, most of them don't) and there are many of them like dryads, goblins, gremlins, kelpies, ogres and so on and on.
3. In this world, fey are not to be trusted! They will always go for favors and ...more

Jan 25, 2015
Helen 2.0
rated it
did not like it
Shelves:
retelling,
young-adult,
demons-fae,
own,
love-triangle,
read-17,
royalty,
trash-and-i-know-it
I have a vague memory from my early teen years that haunts me to this day - there I was, reading The Iron King as it had just been released. I turned the last page, smiling to myself, and thought, "Wow, what a fantastic book. Meghan is so amazing and smart, and Ash is so dreamy. I wish I had two handsome, perfect men chasing after me."
Then, out of nowhere, a disembodied hand materialized in front of me and smacked the living daylights out of my face, like so:

The Supernatural Slapping Incident o ...more
Then, out of nowhere, a disembodied hand materialized in front of me and smacked the living daylights out of my face, like so:

The Supernatural Slapping Incident o ...more

“Something was happening, something strange and creepy and terrifying, and the scariest part of all was that it wore a familiar, ordinary face.”
3 1/2 stars.
While The Immortal Rules series is still Kagawa's winner for me so far, I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this book. Almost everyone I know picked up this series a few years back and I deliberately avoided it. YA paranormal with a love triangle? Yeah, no thank you. But I've been meaning to see if I was wrong ever since I reall ...more

*whispers* look I finally read this. Only 8 years late look at me go but it's fashionable to be late, yes??? Please??? Maybe?? I'm really in love with vicious faeries though, so I was keen to finally dive into this although also wary that it might have a lot of tired, teeth-gritting tropes. It did and it didn't?! I enjoyed myself thoroughly tbh, especially with the monsters everywhere, because this is living. Who needs books with monsters? We all do. Thank you.
➸ It did have some tired tropes tho ...more
➸ It did have some tired tropes tho ...more

Okay, I can't do this anymore. DNF at 62%. This is a negative review, so if you liked the book please respect my opinion as I respect yours.
... this book. You see, this is not a situation in which I can say that the book wasn't bad but it just wasn't for me (as it happened with Cruel Beauty, or even with Fangirl). This book is terrible. It's every cliché and stereotype in YA fantasy in one single book.
It was honestly painful for me to even get this far, and I don't want to do this anymore. Ever ...more
... this book. You see, this is not a situation in which I can say that the book wasn't bad but it just wasn't for me (as it happened with Cruel Beauty, or even with Fangirl). This book is terrible. It's every cliché and stereotype in YA fantasy in one single book.
It was honestly painful for me to even get this far, and I don't want to do this anymore. Ever ...more

I don’t mind if you want to write a story with a “green” message, if you want to encourage people to value and protect nature, if you want to say the narrative equivalent of “yo, bro, you don’t seem to have noticed that pollution is bad.”
But when you do that by literally killing the embodiment of the dream of human progress?

Sweetie, we’re going to have issues.
So let’s break down all the many ways this doesn’t work, shall we? In this anti-science, anti-reason, anti-all-that-is-separating-us-from- ...more
But when you do that by literally killing the embodiment of the dream of human progress?

Sweetie, we’re going to have issues.
So let’s break down all the many ways this doesn’t work, shall we? In this anti-science, anti-reason, anti-all-that-is-separating-us-from- ...more

Endearing Heroine? Check. Unique plot? Check. Gripping story that sucks you right in? Check. Loveable and interesting secondary characters? Check. Hot romance? Check!
You see? DING DING DING DING DING ! Jackpoooooot!
God, I pretty much devoured this book. As so many others I find it rather difficult to review books that I loved and seeing as the Iron King will join the rest of my favorite books in my personal hall of fame I can hardly come up with anything to say about it except for: This.Was.Trul ...more
You see? DING DING DING DING DING ! Jackpoooooot!
God, I pretty much devoured this book. As so many others I find it rather difficult to review books that I loved and seeing as the Iron King will join the rest of my favorite books in my personal hall of fame I can hardly come up with anything to say about it except for: This.Was.Trul ...more

Dec 13, 2016
Sh3lly (grumpybookgrrrl.com)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fae-sidhe-fairies-elves,
fantasy,
iffy-reviews,
thrift-store,
buddy-read,
read-2017,
romance,
young-adult
Solid 3 star read. I liked it enough to want to continue the series.
What I liked:
- Ash
- Puck
- Grimalkin
- The various fae creatures were well-represented and varied
- Imaginative, creative, and like a fairy-tale
What I didn't like so much:
- This is very PG-rated (with maybe a few PG-13 moments) and geared to younger YAs. There is nothing wrong with that! I just think I might be getting too old and like grittier stories. I think I prefer the author's Immortal Rules series, although I have only read ...more
What I liked:
- Ash
- Puck
- Grimalkin
- The various fae creatures were well-represented and varied
- Imaginative, creative, and like a fairy-tale
What I didn't like so much:
- This is very PG-rated (with maybe a few PG-13 moments) and geared to younger YAs. There is nothing wrong with that! I just think I might be getting too old and like grittier stories. I think I prefer the author's Immortal Rules series, although I have only read ...more

*** 3.75 ***
A buddy read with the MacHalo sisters, because this summer we want to return to our early teens:):):)
So yes, I finally read this and I have to say, it is not bad at all. However, it is another of those series that I wish had been around when I was 12, 13, 14 or so years old, because I would have been swooning and in love with this Fairytale for teenagers and YA. I think this is exactly what one of those should read and feel like, not to light, not heavy, no excess in violence and ro ...more
A buddy read with the MacHalo sisters, because this summer we want to return to our early teens:):):)
So yes, I finally read this and I have to say, it is not bad at all. However, it is another of those series that I wish had been around when I was 12, 13, 14 or so years old, because I would have been swooning and in love with this Fairytale for teenagers and YA. I think this is exactly what one of those should read and feel like, not to light, not heavy, no excess in violence and ro ...more

Two boys, one girl, and an unknown enemy. Running away from one enemy only to barge into another enemy, this sure was fun.

This book was outstanding. I mean really... I was totally enthralled from page one to page three hundred and sixty eight. I am blown away at the sheer awesomeness that emits from this book.
First off, I’m a huge fan of “Fae” in general, especially love reading this type of story. But at the same time, when it comes to book about fae there are a lot of similarities. Many books share the same mythology, the Summer Court and Winter Court, references to Midsummer Night’s Dream... The Iron King has t ...more
First off, I’m a huge fan of “Fae” in general, especially love reading this type of story. But at the same time, when it comes to book about fae there are a lot of similarities. Many books share the same mythology, the Summer Court and Winter Court, references to Midsummer Night’s Dream... The Iron King has t ...more

**6.12.2011 ETA: Finished book three and this is one of the most frustrating YA series I've read to date. If you've no tolerance for angsty, bratty, obtuse heroines, steer right clear of it.**
**3.5-ish?**
Julie Kagawa’s YA novel is an interesting treatment of Celtic legend, with characters reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland and the movie Labyrinth. Kagawa’s vision of Faerie (or the NeverNever) is fully-realized and her particular talent lies in description--her world feels incredibly alive. I can ...more
**3.5-ish?**
Julie Kagawa’s YA novel is an interesting treatment of Celtic legend, with characters reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland and the movie Labyrinth. Kagawa’s vision of Faerie (or the NeverNever) is fully-realized and her particular talent lies in description--her world feels incredibly alive. I can ...more

I liked it, I didn't like it, I liked it I didn't like it IlikeditIdidn'tlikeit...
I'm torn.
I'm torn.

Nov 12, 2014
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ by:
Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤

There's just something so satisfying in reviewing a much hated book that I genuinely liked a lot. Or is that just me? See, when I'm in the minority, it's usually because I can't bring myself to understand the fucking appeal of some asshole who's loved by everyone and his cousins.
The opposite is rarer, but it does happen. Proof's The Iron King. Even if I read it in 2014, back in the time when I was new to GR and barely back to reading, I won't change my rating. Here's why.
I loved this book.
I lo ...more

Well, that was mighty unimpressive.
I'd seen this series mentioned several times, but I never really thought about reading it. The premise was, sorry, just like any other girl-with-secret-destiny-and-two-hot-guys book out there, and I've read enough of those to be weary of sneaky marketing. But then I read Kagawa's "The Immortal Rules", and I admit, I was impressed, even if I thought the book had problems. So I picked this series up.
Um...
Well, first of all, I think that this is probably going to ...more
I'd seen this series mentioned several times, but I never really thought about reading it. The premise was, sorry, just like any other girl-with-secret-destiny-and-two-hot-guys book out there, and I've read enough of those to be weary of sneaky marketing. But then I read Kagawa's "The Immortal Rules", and I admit, I was impressed, even if I thought the book had problems. So I picked this series up.
Um...
Well, first of all, I think that this is probably going to ...more

Feb 17, 2013
Eryn
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
original-idea,
imaginative,
5-stars,
almost-favorites,
made-me-laugh,
owned,
romance,
young-adult,
fairytale,
fantasy
[Second Read]
Still 4.25 stars!
This series is so amazing - I'm glad I picked it up again!
**********************
[Original Review]
4.25
Ah, this book.
I read this book/series about 3 years ago, and whenever I think about it I still remember how amazing it was. I know some people say that Meghan is annoying and not likeable, but I never thought so. She's insecure, like many of us are and I always thought that made her very relatable. She felt real - and I felt as though I was going through everything a ...more
Still 4.25 stars!
This series is so amazing - I'm glad I picked it up again!
**********************
[Original Review]
4.25
Ah, this book.
I read this book/series about 3 years ago, and whenever I think about it I still remember how amazing it was. I know some people say that Meghan is annoying and not likeable, but I never thought so. She's insecure, like many of us are and I always thought that made her very relatable. She felt real - and I felt as though I was going through everything a ...more

"Of all the stupid ideas! What is wrong with you?"
-Robin Goodellow aka Puck when asked to choose a sentence to describe Meghan When-in-danger-when-in-doubt-run-in-circles-scream-and-shout Chase. We all appreciate his outspokenness.
As a matter of fact, I'm rating this three stars not because it's good (that's what the three-star rating means for me); I'm rather doing it because it's not bad, in a pleasant way. It does no harm. The book is undoubtedly pretty naive, childish at times, crammed full ...more
-Robin Goodellow aka Puck when asked to choose a sentence to describe Meghan When-in-danger-when-in-doubt-run-in-circles-scream-and-shout Chase. We all appreciate his outspokenness.
As a matter of fact, I'm rating this three stars not because it's good (that's what the three-star rating means for me); I'm rather doing it because it's not bad, in a pleasant way. It does no harm. The book is undoubtedly pretty naive, childish at times, crammed full ...more

Meghan realizing she has faery blood:

Meghan sees Ash:

Ash tries to kill Meghan:

Meghan still chases after him:

Yeah, you probably get the idea. This might sound like a cheesy book, but don't worry, there's definitely more to it!
Meghan's brother is caught by the evil baddies, the Iron fey.

She meets many wonderful characters in winter wonderland and in the sunny summer territories!
Yes, there's definitely more than Helena and Demetrius actions between Meghan and Ash!

Meghan sees Ash:

Ash tries to kill Meghan:

Meghan still chases after him:

Yeah, you probably get the idea. This might sound like a cheesy book, but don't worry, there's definitely more to it!
Meghan's brother is caught by the evil baddies, the Iron fey.

She meets many wonderful characters in winter wonderland and in the sunny summer territories!
Yes, there's definitely more than Helena and Demetrius actions between Meghan and Ash!

Ummm....WOW! That is how I felt after reading The Iron King. Simply amazing. I was lost in this book for a few days and I never wanted to leave the beautiful world Julie Kagawa painted. This is the best "Fey" book I have ever read!
What I liked about this book: everything! There is not one thing I would change. I rarely give books 5 stars unless the story really calls to my soul. And boy was this book singing! The characters were totally believable and realistic. Puck is my favorite bc he is simp ...more

The Iron King was an enjoyable read, but not exactly a memorable one. And while there were certain elements to it that were fairly original, the majority of the story felt like the same old tired scenario that Holly Black and Melissa Marr have already used. And because I'm ornery for details - the linguistically accurate term is fay, not fey. Just saying.
For a protagonist, I certainly enjoyed Meghan Chase more than whosit from the Holly Black book and Madam Skank from the other author's book. Th ...more
For a protagonist, I certainly enjoyed Meghan Chase more than whosit from the Holly Black book and Madam Skank from the other author's book. Th ...more

This was a cool take on the fae from the perspective of half-fae Megan, who has grown up on a pig farm in Louisiana, convinced she is nothing special. When her brother is kidnapped, she must venture to fairyland in order to get him back. Lots of world-building and exposure to different fairies on this quest-type fantasy journey. It’s so interesting to me all the different takes writers have on the fae!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

Before I begin this review, I'd like to clear something up. Keep in mind, it is complete fact*:
If there were 100 women in the world, 90 of those people would think long hair on a guy is gross. Of the 10 remaining women who aren't totally turned off by long hair, 8 of those women are scifi, fantasy, or romance authors.
Julie Kagawa, what the heck? You took a guy that could be a total babe (okay, who am I kidding, he still is) and gave him "silky" long locks. Blech.
This book took my ultimate night ...more
If there were 100 women in the world, 90 of those people would think long hair on a guy is gross. Of the 10 remaining women who aren't totally turned off by long hair, 8 of those women are scifi, fantasy, or romance authors.
Julie Kagawa, what the heck? You took a guy that could be a total babe (okay, who am I kidding, he still is) and gave him "silky" long locks. Blech.
This book took my ultimate night ...more

Nov 10, 2014
Katerina Kondrenko
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Katerina by:
Nastassja
7 out of 10
Ревью в моем блоге/This review on my blog
Living A Thousand Lives (please use Chrome/Yandex browser or Android/IOS to see the page; otherwise, spoiler-tags I use to make my post compact may not work)
Short-Soundtrack:
Zero-project – Dance of the fairies
Licorne Argente – Seelie Court
Licorne Argente – Unseelie Court
Genre: fantasy, YA
Stuff: fairies, jester, prince and awesome cat
Setting: US, Nevernever
Fail: naivety
WOW: world-building and mythology, Grimalkin
POV: 1st-person, female
Love-G ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Are You Team Puck or Team Ash? | 170 | 575 | Nov 03, 2018 07:16PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa - Restarting August 10th 2018 | 71 | 270 | Sep 10, 2018 04:46PM | |
Ash or Puck?!?! | 277 | 568 | Jun 25, 2018 10:14PM | |
Crazy for Young A...: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa → Start Date: December 4, 2017 | 29 | 27 | Dec 11, 2017 04:50PM | |
Addicted to YA: Iron Fey Quotes | 25 | 367 | Oct 27, 2017 08:01AM | |
Yearning for a movie! | 40 | 486 | Jul 04, 2017 10:40AM |
Other books in the series
The Iron Fey
(7 books)
23 trivia questions
8 quizzes
More quizzes & trivia...
8 quizzes
“Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?”
—
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“Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?”
—
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