The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1) in Addicted to YA

Aug 22, 2018 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it liked it · review of another edition

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This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it didn't really wow me. I find books like this so hard to review. On one hand, I liked the book. On the other hand, I didn't love it.

The one great thing that this book has going for it is the stellar concept behind the story. Kagawa has taken the common knowledge that people know about fae (or fey, faeries, etc.) and expanded on it in a unique way. I liked how she pulled from things that most people can rela This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it didn't really wow me. I find books like this so hard to review. On one hand, I liked the book. On the other hand, I didn't love it.

The one great thing that this book has going for it is the stellar concept behind the story. Kagawa has taken the common knowledge that people know about fae (or fey, faeries, etc.) and expanded on it in a unique way. I liked how she pulled from things that most people can relate with, such as characters from Shakespeare, and brought them to life in her own way. The concept alone had such potential to be a five-star read. Unfortunately, some of the execution dampened my enthusiasm.

The flow of the story was very smooth and fast-paced. I think that this is where some of the issues that I have with the book stem from. While there was plenty of minor conflicts for the main character, the large conflict with the boss at the end of the book was over and done with in what felt like seconds. The book had been building up to this big showdown with the main villain, but it just felt like it petered out at the end. I feel that the book could have been lengthened to include more conflict.

This brings me to the romance. I also feel like the book could have been lengthened to include more emotional interaction with the love interests in the book. The romance felt rushed and almost as if it came out of nowhere. It didn't feel believable. The main character was threatened by her love interest and they were guarded around each other. Then all of a sudden he is kissing her without really showing him soften to her at all. It just didn't work for me. Which is saddening because I was rooting for the romance in the background. Another thing in this book that really had so much more potential. In the end, I liked the romance, but it just wasn't convincing enough for my tastes. There was also the beginnings of a love triangle, though minuscule. I guess we will see if a love triangle blossoms forth in the next book?

The character development in the book didn't really have anything lacking, but I didn't feel like the characters touched my heart as much as I would have liked. I was definitely interested in the characters, but I felt like they could have been portrayed more intimately. Interest and adoration are completely different. While I did not dislike the characters, I also wasn't enamored by them.

I felt that the world building was also another high point in this book. While part of this book occurs in the real world, a good portion of the book occurs in Fairyland. I liked Kagawa's portrayal of the Nevernever (a.k.a. Fairyland). Her portrayal is pretty spot on with how I think Fairyland would be from folklore. Mystical and sinister. Both sweet and sour. I liked seeing all the bargains made since that is a key element to the fae's trickery in folklore. I liked the focus on their world existing because of mortals belief in them and them being remembered.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will continue the series. While the book kept me entertained, I felt there could have been some minor improvements to a few aspects of the story. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys books about the fae.

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Mar 22, 2012 Rachel rated it it was amazing

4.5/5
I’m really glad that I finally decided to start the Iron Fey series. The first book was a whirlwind of adventure, surprises, creative characters and brilliant writing.

What I enjoyed most was the fact that I had no idea what direction this story was taking. I have not read many fairy books because I am usually uninterested in stories with a focus of monarch politics composing of endless wars. The series where I enjoyed the fairy ruling system, before this book, was the Tithe series by Holly 4.5/5
I’m really glad that I finally decided to start the Iron Fey series. The first book was a whirlwind of adventure, surprises, creative characters and brilliant writing.

What I enjoyed most was the fact that I had no idea what direction this story was taking. I have not read many fairy books because I am usually uninterested in stories with a focus of monarch politics composing of endless wars. The series where I enjoyed the fairy ruling system, before this book, was the Tithe series by Holly Black. Both The Iron King and the Tithe series were well written and exciting enough to cause me to enjoy them. Also, both writers took the effort to teach me enough about the fairy without being dull and confusing. I am glad to find two fairy stories that hold my interest.

The best part of this book was the brilliant descriptions of the fairy surroundings. I cannot stop re-reading the incredible prose of Kagawa. I never saw writing as beautiful or special as Kagawa before.

I also liked how the incorporations of the characters of my favorite Shakespearean comedy, A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I liked Puck and seeing him as a black crow. It was interesting to see Tatiana fury around Meghan and the imposing behavior Oberon conjured around his daughter.

I also was glad that I was able to connect closely with Meghan. Since, Megan is not a physical fighter; she has to use her wits to survive. I am amazed at how well Meghan adjusted and I smiled at her brilliant tricks and ideas that kept her alive. Meghan is able to think fast and is very loyal to her little brother. She is a very caring and likable character.

It also was nice finally meeting Ash. I encountered many GoodReads book clubs with discussions about him so I am glad to finally see what he was like. I was really impressed. I like his loyalty to his queen, amazing fighting skills, deep emotion and capacity to change.

The best part of the book was hearing Ash confesses the tale of what led to his and Puck’s bitter rivalry. I really loved that background story and how logical and entertaining it flowed. That scene was my favorite of The Iron King! It made me feel sad and intrigued.

All in all, I really enjoyed this adventure, tension-filled book.
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