Privilege #4: Sweet Deceit by Kate Brian

Release Date: June 10, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 208
Review Source: Library

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Kate Brian's Privilege series shows what happens when the really rich and the really crazy will do anything to get what they want.

My Thoughts:
This series amazes me, because somehow Kate Brian makes you feel sympathy for the character of Ariana, which you would think would be impossible. Even more amazing is how you can feel sympathy for Ariana in the Privilege series, yet hate her while reading Reed's perspective in the Private books. This book is mostly about Ariana and Kaitlynn's quest to become members of the Stone and Grave secret society, and all the things they're willing to do to be accepted. If you've read the previous books in this series, you know that they're willing to do a heck of a lot.

It amazes me how Ariana seems so normal sometimes, but then you realize (once again) how absolutely twisted she is. I love how Kate has managed to write another series with funny and likable characters, and interesting plot lines with the most amazing twists and turns. I was kept guessing until the end what would happen, and the very last part of the book? I don't think anyone could have seen that coming. These books are quick reads (I read this in a couple of hours), but they're really amazing. I would definitely recommend this series, and the Private series, to those who enjoy stories about rich kids but who also like some mystery, intrigue, and substance in their fiction.

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Iron Fey #1.5: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 59
Review Source: NetGalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

My Thoughts:
I very much enjoyed this continuation of the Iron Fey series. I saw this novella as a small "treat" to read in between books 1 and 2, and I appreciated how it was available for free (up until last month everywhere, and still on NetGalley). Of course because of it's format, there were also some limitations to the story. While the events of 'Winter's Passage' were action packed and interesting, it was impossible for the plot to advance very far. I actually really enjoyed Ash's character here, and in places I could see his appeal. As a match for Meghan, though? I am yet to be won over to that ship. Mostly, I loved the action and adventure of this novella, and it kept me engaged with Meghan's story and made me want to read the 2nd book in the series right away. The main plot line of the novella has an interesting twist to it, and any fans of 'The Iron King' should be sure to download it and check it out before reading 'The Iron Daughter'.

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The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Review Source: Library

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
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.

My Thoughts:
I had heard a lot about this book prior to picking it up, and had read a lot of different reviews on it which judged it all the way from 'okay' to 'absolutely amazing', so I think I came into it with a pretty open mind. I'm glad I did, because I was really swept away in the story. Meghan is a likeable character, I think mainly because of her deep devotion to her little brother. I really loved Robbie/Robin Goodfellow/Puck (does the guy have any more names I forgot about?), and I wish we had seen more of him. I suppose he was conveniently missing to play up the romance between Meghan and Ash, although I have to say that their relationship wasn't my favourite part of the book. I'm not against it or anything, but I've seen the "I threatened to kill you once, but I love you" story play out too many times in fiction. I think their relationship changed too quickly, but that's one of the only big downsides I found in the book.

I'm a major cat person, so I really loved Grimalkin. His line of "I'm a cat" to explain why he could get away with anything and that he knew everything was just perfect. All the fantastical faery elements of the story were wonderful, and I liked that they took place alongside the "normal" world. I haven't really read any faery books before, but I liked the mythology and the history that was given about their species without it becoming too dry. As I mentioned, I was very swept away in the story, and that's because the book is filled with action. There are also a lot of descriptions of the setting, which a lot of fantasy readers would probably appreciate. Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and despite my reservations about Meghan/Ash, I look forward to seeing how their romance can survive in the next book.

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Find The Iron King by Julie Kagawa on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca