The Iron King by Julia Kagawa; Review
Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published: February, 2010
Number of Pages: 368
Rating: 4/5
Quote:
“…What do you want, Ash?”
“Your head,” Ash answered softly. “On a pike. But what I want doesn’t matter this time.” He pointed his sword at me. “I’ve come for her.”
I gasped as my heart and stomach began careening around my chest. He’s here for me, to kill me, like he promised at Elysium.
“Over my dead body.” Puck smiled, as if this was a friendly conversation on the street, but I felt the muscles coiling under his skin.
“That was part of the plan.”…
“Stay back, princess,” Puck warned, pushing me out of the way. He reached into his boot and pulled out a dagger, the curved blade clear as glass. “This might get a little rough.”
“Puck, no.” I clutched at his sleeve. “Don’t fight him. Someone could die.”
“Duels to the death tend to end that way.” Puck grinned…
Synopsis:
Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined–the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series. [From Goodreads]
Review:
I was on the way up to my family’s land, Pine Hollow (we named it. Yes, we did.) and found myself in a dilemma. I had five or six different books that I could read next, and only one set of eyes. I turned to my Twitter pals and asked them which of the books I should read. The Iron King won out, and I’m so grateful that it did! From the minute we dove into the Faery world, I couldn’t believe my mind. The vivid images in my head, the harsh, fascinating realities of Julie Kagawa’s world… they astounded me.
What an insanely interesting book! I haven’t read many books about faeries, and most of the information I’ve read about them I found in Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (Review), which also has a fantastic faery storyline. The Iron King, however, turns faeries into a main focus. Their mystic and often cruel nature was intriguing. I cannot wait to read the sequel, The Iron Daughter, if only to be back in Nevernever (Aka, Faeryland).
The characters in the novel will grip you and hold you tight, wrenching you apart when they move in opposite directions or toward conflicting goals. Meghan is a character I can easily like and respect, although I thought she could be a little ridiculous at times. At one point, she was upset over something (sorry for the vagueness, but I’m trying to avoid spoilers.) and it struck me as totally silly. So, although she seemed a little ridiculous at times, it didn’t shadow the fact that she’s ultimately a good and cute little person. Which makes me glad.
As most YA books seem to, there was certainly a love triangle in this book. It’s actually in a state of germination, if you ask me. I’m sure the sequel holds a lot more in this area as the relationships develop further. Let me tell you – I have never been this torn (well, except in the case of Clockwork Angel – Review). Usually, I know right from the start who I’m rooting for, or who I prefer in general, even if I don’t necessarily need them to end up with the girl (I’ll take him!). Originally, I was wholeheartedly Team Puck. Weird “P” names for the win! His goofiness and lightheartedness are endearing, and the skinny boy with bright-orange hair idea of him that I have in my head is cute. However, as Ash became more of a focal point, I couldn’t escape the feeling that he’s great in his own icy way. Overall, I’m remaining open to options, but I’m going to hold tight to my Team Puck for however long I can.
I think the thing about this book that wowed me the most, that has gripped me so tightly that there is no possible way I could go a month before reading The Iron Daughter, is Nevernever. How enchanting and visually delicious. Julie Kagawa gave me the seeds from which to grow some of the most fascinating places I have ever dreamed of. The moment we entered this fantasy world, I was addicted. The culture, social structure – everything about this world pulls me in. This was perfect because the survival of Nevernever comes into play, and I felt as though everything really was being put on the line. The pixies, the goblins, the weird-river-horse-creatures, the elves – all came together to create a world I wanted to be enveloped in. And the addition of Robin Goodfellow (also known as Puck) didn’t dampen the experience a bit.
The descriptions in the novel were strict and detailed enough to give me a clear idea of what the author’s views were – perfectly concise – but also gave me the freedom to do whatever I fancied. As a reader, I had the ideal amount of creative freedom to add to the world the aspects that made it fantastical and hauntingly beautiful to me.
The Faery realities are horrifying at times and most definitely disturbing. I loved this. It gave the book some awe-inspiring quality. I was fascinated by the magical bonds that promises and swearing trapped a person in and the manipulative tendencies of the faeries. The entire world is a riddle, everything has an underlying meaning that you have to be clever enough to perceive, and it’s inarguably just as easy to misinterpret. Nearly everyone has an ulterior motive. This book will require you to keep your ears perked and your senses sharp.
The plot holds together nicely, and I felt I had just the right amount of time to familiarize with Nevernever before I was flung into more action-packed sequences. However, there was, and I believe still is, enough yet to be discovered to add a hint of confusion and occasionally panic that spices things up a bit. The climax passed in a heartbeat, but that was probably because I was sucking the words in like I do blackberry milkshakes. The hint of apprehension that smacked me in the face (and excitement, did I mention excitement?) at the very closing of this novel had the desired effect – I want more and very, very soon.
The fact I wish you to glean from this review: I now have an unhealthy addiction to Faeryland. I encourage you to jump on this Faery bandwagon with me and become addicts yourselves. You will never hear similar words emitted from my mouth, I promise.
Julie Kagawa, thank you. Do I owe you a life debt or my first born child or something for this book?
A Megalodon of a Giveaway! (Wordbird’s One!)
Yes. Yes, it is that big. And I have no idea what “Taucher” and whatever that other thing is mean either.
Oh my gosh!!! Wordbird turned one year old yesterday! Madeleine Rex has been blogging for a year. And I haven’t been that irritating or destroyed the World Wide Web accidentally with some wacky Rex Virus. Mission accomplished.
I hope you guys have enjoyed the past year as much as I have. I’ve met so many wonderful people over that time period. I can honestly say that joining this online community is the best thing I’ve ever done for my writing and bookish life . I have so many incredible friends here, all because my dear mother encouraged me to start a blog. I don’t think either of us really thought this would go anywhere… but, surprisingly, it has (and that might just be because you guys have boring day jobs, but I’d like to think there’s more to it than that – and that you guys love your jobs). I’m grateful for you support and friendship.
So, I’m giving you books! Lots of them.
(Links are to my reviews.)
- Amazon Books 10$ Gift Card
- The Devouring by Simon Holt (old ARC – new condition – Thanks, LB!)
- Soulstice by Simon Holt (old ARC – new condition – Thanks, LB!)
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (HB – new)
- Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick (old ARC – new condition – Thanks, LB!)
- Happyface by Stephen Emond (old ARC – new condition – Thanks, LB!)
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore (PB)
- Fire by Kristin Cashore (PB)
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (PB)
- The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (PB)
- Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (old ARC – used – signed)
- Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (HB)
This giveaway is not international. I sincerely apologize. I simply can’t afford the shipping costs.
The “Grand Prize” winner will receive five books and the Amazon $1o gift card. The second winner will pick three of the remaining books, and the third winner will win the last three.
To enter the giveaway, use the form linked below.
No, not the one over there! Here.
This giveaway ends on Monday, October 4th.
So exciting!
Thanks again to Little Brown for the wonderful package of four books! I never cease to be amazed.
Everybody Makes Mistakes!
(Trust me. There’s a reason for the picture you’re looking at.)
Yes, that’s Hannah Montana.
Or is that Miley Cyrus? Sorry, I forgot which one was real.
Yep.
Every time I watch a Nickelodeon or Disney TV show and people are doing something totally ridiculous or embarrassing, I tell my brother: It’s going to take ten years for them to shed the Nick/Disney image. Why would they do that to themselves?
And, really – why? Why not do some commercials and show up on a few episodes of CSI? Obviously, sometimes it works out, and sometimes those shows can be cute, but what Disney/Nick star has been able to shed that image and branch out without people snickering and saying, “Oh, there’s [insert character name from past Disney/Nick show here]. In a real movie. Pfft”?
Look at Zac Efron, who still hasn’t been able to really move on from High School Musical, even though, in my opinion, he’s actually a pretty good actor. And Hilary Duff. Every time I look at her, I think “Lizzie Maguire.” And then there’s Miley Cyrus. The list of Disney and Nickelodeon stars that have yet to move on from their kiddy pasts is long.Their first moves into stardom branded them for years, and possibly for life.
What if your first published work is the same way?
When will Stephenie Meyer ever really be able to move on, past Twilight?
My message to you today: Make sure you’re willing to be branded by your first book.
Clearly, we all love our babies… I mean, books. We’re very probably going to be proud of our first published work – as we should be! It was your Golden Ticket! You’re in! You’re officially a VIP, all thanks to [insert beloved book title here].
However, keep in mind that you will never be able to erase that book from your “permanent record.” Obviously, our writing will always be improving. Every book we write (hopefully) is better than our last. That’s a given.
But I shudder to think that I might regret jumping the publishing gun.
Make sure you are ready, and make sure your darling book is. Don’t be blinded by your seemingly undying love for [insert beloved book title here]. Think objectively.
Not only will your first book brand you, but the genre it’s in. I’ve heard time and time again, things like “Pfft. Zac Efron could never be in a really emotional movie.” Even I tease, “Is he an all-star high school basketball player this time around?”
Attention comes with judgment. That’s how it is. Do you want to be judged by [insert beloved book title here]?
The ideal answer: yes.
Luckily for us writers, people are more open-minded. I’d be willing to read a fantasy novel by John Green. (Okay, okay, I’d be willing to read almost anything by John Green. But you get the idea.)
John Green, lucky him, struck gold with his debut, Looking for Alaska.
You want a brand like that. One that you can show with a sense of pride forever, one a majority of people will respect. Brands tend to be permanent. The hair won’t grow back over the scar.
Be objective. Be a little logical (oh my!). Try to look at yourself thirty years from now from the eyes of other people.
But don’t let objectivity cloud your love. Go ahead and be in love with that blissfully wonderful book of yours.
There’s always a happy medium. Love and logic can coexist. Even if there’s some bickering.
Psst! Paranormalcy came out TODAY! Must. Read.
Also, please, please, please give me suggestions for my blogiversary giveaway! – Help Me Help You
Doors and Windows and Ventilation Shafts
We all know that quote of Alexander Graham Bell’s that has become more of a cliche than a source of inspiration:
When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.
Oh, yeah, Maddy’s going to use that overused quote again. Don’t run away.
I really did feel a sudden urge to write about this, and feel the urge even more after reading this Guest Post on Pimp My Novel about envy.
Madeleine’s message? It might not be a door that opens, but a window. Or a ventilation shaft. Either way, if you try hard enough and face your overwhelming claustrophobia and sock it in the face, you can make it through to the other side. Take advantage of opportunity, no matter how small. Even if it’s so small that your shoulders get stuck every four squirms.
(And I’m claustrophobic, so you really should take this post seriously.)
When a friend goes through a door and slams it in your face, take the ventilation shaft that’s suddenly appeared to your right. Start wriggling.
Take advantage of every inch you can move forward, because progress is progress. Every bit of leverage and every opportunity presented to you is a gift. Not grabbing it and hugging it to yourself is the same as returning it unopened right to the gift-giver. Aka, rude.
I encourage you to face claustrophobia (any opposition), work through it (ignore it), and make it to the other side (progress).
Because even ventilation shafts lead to something new – something you can’t see from the other side, but must trust is there.
Psst! Tell me what you want to see in my blogiversary giveaway! – Help Me Help You
Re-Post: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins; Review
You know how I love words and love talking and writing with said words? Well, sometimes they fail me, too. Occasionally, I find myself so overwhelmed that I simply cannot string together enough sensible sentences to make my point. So is the case with Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.
I got the book at midnight and finished it at nine-ish in the morning (my aunt read out loud a majority of the time). Afterward, I was so insanely tired and shocked/depressed (it’s over!). The bafflement has yet to wear off. Luckily for me, Alex at Tales of a Teenage Book Lover (he’s fourteen, too! Go fourteen-year-olds!) posted a review that astounded me. He said precisely what I wanted to say in the words I couldn’t find. What follows is his review. Comments are closed to this post because they’re due to him. His post is here, so comment there if you’d like.
Without further ado, my thoughts in Alex’s words:
Mockingjay Review:
Perhaps my hopes were too high. Perhaps I had become so attached to the characters that I couldn’t stand to see them change so rapidly. Perhaps I didn’t like being in such a dark atmosphere, not that these books were ever light. I don’t know what the problem was for me, but whatever it was, it made Mockingjay a let down.
Don’t get me wrong, I still loved it to pieces. But I was just expecting so much from this book and, frankly, I didn’t get it. Katniss, who was once so strong was so depressing and unstable in this book that it was hard to read a book from her perspective since it put you in such a dark place. Peeta, one of my favorite characters I have ever read, upset me also. So did Gale, who I’m still not sure if I like or not.
Though Suzanne Collins is probably one of the most talented writers the world has ever seen, her writing in this book disappointed me. It still had the incredible cliffhangers, and the fantastic society, but there was something missing this time around. Whenever something exciting happened, you never got to see it firsthand. It was always a blackout and you were told what happened later on. I wanted to be right in the action, but instead it was as though I slept through it.
You are invited into a whole new world in Mockingjay. It is both similar to the one we got to experience in the previous novels, and so very different. War is all around you, and it is definitely not something that is fun to read. But when is war ever really fun?
Another problem I had with this stunning novel was the pacing. It was perfectly paced until the end. Then it was like this: BAM! What just happened? Again, you are in the dark when most of the action is taking place and are told what happened later on. And the changes the characters go through at the end are sort of unbelievable.
I really don’t know how to say it. This is still one of the best book ever written, but my- and the rest of the world’s expectations were so high that when what I wanted wasn’t delivered, it upset me. I know this is how it should have played out, however, which is another reason I am so conflicted.
I guess all I can say now is please, please read this incredible trilogy, because these books are some of the best on the planet. You are in a startling new world in which you want to live in every second, while wanting to escape at the same time. It saddens me that this will be the last sentence of commentary I get to write on these books, but I will say that they are perfect in every possible way.
And there you are! My thoughts exactly.
If you’re wondering, I rated Mockingjay a 5/5 because although I was disappointed, it still seemed to deserve the adjective “amazing.” I will not be reviewing the book, but I will post a an extremely spoiler-y post in a month or so. Read it only if you’ve read the book or care nothing about it (in which case you wouldn’t read anyway).
And Monday I promise a post from me!
