The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 386
Series: The Iron Fey #4
Review Source: Netgalley
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts:
For me, this wasn’t the easiest book to get through. I’m not sure why, it just couldn’t keep my attention for the first half. I don’t know if it was the book itself (too much journeying without a lot of consequential things happening?) or just my reading mood itself. HOWEVER (and it’s a big however, hence the caps) this is a pretty great book, and it definitely kept my attention for the second half.

Reading from Ash’s perspective was perhaps one of the reasons why I had a hard time getting into the book at first. I read ‘Summer’s Crossing’ directly prior to picking up ‘The Iron Knight’, so going from bright and sunny Puck (who, of course, has a deep side, but likes to look at the fun and goodness in everything) to doom and gloom Ash was a bit of a bummer. I felt for the guy, I seriously did, but I kind of wanted to send him a happy pill. Thankfully there are really great parts of the narration as well, and Ash proves himself to be a very brave and loyal character.

But let me tell you some reasons why the book works extremely well:
- Grimalkin. He’s a cat. Enough said.
- The Puck/Ash dynamic. I got a little sick of hearing “ice-boy” over and over, but for real. Their frenemy status is funny, and real, and touching.
- Getting to hear about Ash’s background. Reading some history about Puck and Ash’s friendship, as well as Ash’s relationship with Ariella was great. And then there’s some other, darker moments that were hard to read, but I thought were extremely realistic.

The whole quest dynamic of the book, and indeed the whole series, also works well, because Julie Kagawa isn’t afraid to put her characters through some seriously hard times. I hate it when characters have quests that are supposed to be near impossible but then they get through the tasks easily based on technicalities or crazy twists. Well, Kagawa definitely writes some serious twists into this book, but they aren’t because of lazy writing. They’re intricate and well-thought out twists, and they make everything more interesting and they simultaneously solve characters’ problems while also creating new ones.

Basically, this is definitely worth reading. The whole series is great, and this one is particular is especially worth reading if you’re a fan of ice-boy -- I mean... Ash. ;)

The Cover:
Loveee it!! These covers are always gorgeous, and the guy they picked for Ash is definitely cute (I'm a bit shallow, so sue me). And the fact that the back has Puck on it? So brilliant. Hence why I had to include it in my post.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon