The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1) in YA and Beyond

Sep 18, 2012 Atmika Singh rated it really liked it

Shelves: make-this-into-a-movie, romance-love, young-adult, ya-fantasy, i-own, fantasy

I've heard so much praise for this series from so many people that I just had to read it. Does it deserve the hype, you ask? Yes, yes it absolutely does. The world building is amazing, beautiful and it's so detailed that if you close your eyes you can almost see it.

This is my first book by the author and I'm so impressed. The amount and variety of creatures that Julie has created in this book is just mind-blowing. There is never a dull moment in the book with nasty, scary characters continuously I've heard so much praise for this series from so many people that I just had to read it. Does it deserve the hype, you ask? Yes, yes it absolutely does. The world building is amazing, beautiful and it's so detailed that if you close your eyes you can almost see it.

This is my first book by the author and I'm so impressed. The amount and variety of creatures that Julie has created in this book is just mind-blowing. There is never a dull moment in the book with nasty, scary characters continuously making an appearance and trying to kill Meghan and gang.

I really loved the beginning of the story. Meghan is an average 16 year old girl who is trying to make it through High school, which is honestly, a challenge in itself but then her brother gets kidnapped and replaced by a changeling so she has to obviously go and rescue him and thus begins the journey in the faery world.

Meghan is brave and cares about her loved ones. She sacrifices her freedom and safety for her brother's life and I admire that. But she gets in trouble far too much. I don't really like the whole damsel in distress act. She is too naive and there were moments when I couldn't help but roll my eyes at everything that was happening.

Puck is amazing. I loved him. He made me smile whenever he was around. He is cute and genuinely cares about Meg. How can she not see that? I think Meg was a little unfair to him. He put his life at risk for her and she just doesn't give him enough credit. So, yeah I'm Team Puck all the way.

I didn't really have a problem with Ash as a character. He is what he is and I liked him. He has a gentle and sweet side that he tries to hide behind his cold demeanor. It makes sense too because he has gone through something sad and tragic. What I have a problem with is the romance. It happened too quickly. One moment he was mean to her and the next he was making out with her. Not really convincing. At least, not to me. I've heard that Ash is more interesting in the successive books. I'm looking forward to that.

I really liked the writing, without it the book wouldn't be what it is. So kudos to Julie Kagawa. Overall I enjoyed the book. I loved Grimalkin. Talking cats, yes it's been done before but nevertheless it's still interesting . Pack Rats were just awesome. I want them in a movie, now! I enjoyed the book and I just want to pick up the next book and read on. The things that bothered me weren't really a big deal, after-all. I recommend you to read it just to experience the world that Julie has created. ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Mary Ann Rogers rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

Faeries are sweet, malevolent, magical creatures who grant wishes and spread good will. In the Iron King, you wouldn't want to anger a faery. Faeries are magical,but they can tricky, demanding, and unforgiving in NeverNever. NeverNever is magical, faery world that draws the reader in and never lets go.

Megahan Chase is a typical 16-year-old teenager trying to navigate the sometime tricky life in high school. She has a best friend Robbie, who is a prankster and generally good for a laugh. Meghan ...more

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Aug 17, 2010 Nan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: friends-copy, fantasy, faeries, read-in-2010, trilogy, reviewed

Meghan Chase father disappeared when she was six. Now 10 years later, she's sixteen. Still unable to forget her real dad, the dad who disappeared. Her mum remarried to a guy named Luke and they have a son together. Meghan half brother Ethan whose four years old. Ethan sees things in his closest all the time and talks to his rabbit Floppy (who talks back to him). Meghan just thinks its imaginary friends but yet does she know that their real. Strange things happen on the day before her birthday. O Meghan Chase father disappeared when she was six. Now 10 years later, she's sixteen. Still unable to forget her real dad, the dad who disappeared. Her mum remarried to a guy named Luke and they have a son together. Meghan half brother Ethan whose four years old. Ethan sees things in his closest all the time and talks to his rabbit Floppy (who talks back to him). Meghan just thinks its imaginary friends but yet does she know that their real. Strange things happen on the day before her birthday. On the day of her birthday her best friend Robbie starts acting weird, getting more protective of her. Than her brother Ethan disappears stolen by the Iron King. So she has to travel to FaeryLand and rescue her beloved brother with the help of her best friend Robbie (Robin Goodfellow) aka Puck. They travel to the land of Nevernever and faced great danger. They travelled to the Summer Court because King Oberon wanted to see her.
King Oberon turned out to be her father. Meghan doesn't believe that but as time passed she started to believe. Her fathers wife Queen Tatiana hates her and call her a bastard, making her one of her kitchen slave while her father wasn't around. At the Elysium where the Summer Court and Winter Court meet up for a ball, she sees Ash. The darkly handsome guy who nearly killed her in the woods. He turned out to be the son of the Queen of the Unseelie Court. Ash and Meghan has strong attraction for each otehr (which they both ignore).
Meghan runs away from the Summer Court to find her little brother with the help Grimalkin (cat) & Puck. They have to go to the Unseelie Court to reach the Iron Court. There waiting for them was Ash who was ordered by his mother to bring Meghan to her. Ash and Meghan make a contract. If Ash helps find her brother Ethan, than she well go to the Unseelie Court to see the Queen.

Personal Opinion/Spoiler Alert
I swear for some reason I thought of Alice and Wonderland while reading this. Which was kinda freaky. Julie Kagawa has a really strong imagination and I love her characters. Especially Ash. Can the guy sound any hotter, his just gorgeous. And so in love with Meghan. To bad their parents hate each other and its FORBIDDEN. Hey, FORBIDDEN LOVE are the best! I think Robbie has a thing for Meghan, even though his one of the oldest fey alive. I love him, he cracks me up and his fun. OMG the cat Grimalkin is the best, I love how she/he interferes with what their saying. I can't wait to read the next book. How can you not, she left us when Ash took her to see Queen Mab. I nearly died. ...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Becky rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya, romance, fantasy, library

Well, for the first 2/3 of the book, the protagonist annoyed my greatly. She whined a lot and made many dumb choices. If it wasn't for Puck and Grimalkin, I think I would have stopped reading. Ash was a so-so character for me. He's the cold, aloof, handsome guy. Since I prefer the nice, next door type, I wasn't so into him.

After hearing about the rest of the series, I would recommend this for the 16+. If I get around to reading the rest of the series, I may come back and change that recommendati ...more

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