Reviews

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

manuthebooknerd's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

chlcrc617's review against another edition

2.0

Oh boy, I did not like this book. I only finished it as a "what not to do" example and also because the chapters were so short I could convince myself to read "just one more! it's not that much."

This book does not nearly have enough world building in some areas, definitely not enough character development, and the pacing is very much a mess. The latter two are potentially because of all the character POVs we cycle through - four. You don't spend enough time with any one character to really get into their world or their head beyond the obvious parts that are spelled out for us.

Also, there were long periods where I didn't know where I was physically throughout this book. There was almost no attention to that. I don't need paragraphs dedicated to scenery, but some placement is generally nice.

The final nail in the coffin is the plot. There's a good amount of action. But... yawn? I just never cared. It wasn't suspenseful and it almost felt confusing at times, again, given the location issues.

I have no desire to read anything else despite the cliffhanger ending. At least I checked this book out from the library and didn't pay money.

kazzified29's review against another edition

3.0

I found "Heart of Iron" enjoyable. I liked it and found the characters entertaining. Some of the scenes felt as if they were straight out of the 20th Century Fox animated film, "Anastasia." It was very funny to recognise scenes like that. "Anastasia" is one of my favourite movies of all time. I was obsessed with it when it came out. However, I felt that the story didn't surprise me and was somewhat predictable because it followed the animated plot here and there. I am keenly aware of the Romanov history and of the legend of Anastasia. People believed that she had somehow survived the murder of her parents and siblings. I liked the fact that Ana seemed to take on the role of Alexei Romanov as well as Anastasia.

Personally, the romances of the book were not very impressive. I adored one relationship in the book and did not enjoy the other two; one relationship is one of my hated tropes of instant love. At times I felt as if the characters were too juvenile for the world that they had grown up in and for the career that they had. For being cut-throat outlaws, I found them somewhat weak and below par. I expected more from this crew who initially reminded me of The Ravagers from "Guardians of the Galaxy."

At times, the writing felt like pure fan-fiction. I recognise the writing from many a fan-fiction piece that I have read and written. This is Poston's second book and first foray into science-fiction. It was good but it wouldn't be amiss as a storyline in the fictional television series 'Star Field' from her debut novel, "Geekerella." I did enjoy the story, but I was enthralled or excited by it like I had expected to be because I love the legend of Anastasia so much. "Heart of Iron" was one of my most anticipated releases on 2018 and I felt somewhat underwhelmed by it. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here as there will undoubtedly be a sequel.

justlily's review against another edition

5.0

I genuinely do not have words for how much I loved this book. I can't describe how I'm walking away feeling like Ana and Robb and Jax and Di are my friends and the Dossier is a place I'd feel comfortable in even if I'd never been there before. I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud, and even more so the number of times I teared up, and even more than that the times I regretted having to take a break from reading.

I can tell you I finished this book five minutes ago and I miss it. I miss them.

Heart of Iron is something special. It's outside of my usual wheelhouse but I am unendingly grateful for having picked it up.

In related news: If you think there is a single character alive that is better or more good or more wonderful or more special or more deserving of happiness than Jax, you are ding dong absoLUTELY WRONG. He's my whole heart and I would kill a man for him. That's all.

pantsreads's review against another edition

3.0

A fun, if formulaic, read. I'm usually a huge fan of retellings, but I feel like knowing what this book was a retelling of actually made me enjoy it less.

Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.

nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition

4.75

A futuristic sci-fi retelling of Princess Anastasia- Yes Please.      If you liked The Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer- give this one a go.  

ellenmc07's review against another edition

5.0

This book subverted all of my expectations in the best ways possible. What makes me angry is that I didn't read it sooner. Poston does, in my opinion, a stand out job of bridging all the narratives and storylines to make something brilliant. Without a doubt would recommend it to anyone who loves a good sci-fi romance with good action and even higher stakes. Can't wait to read the next one!

kayla_mcd's review against another edition

3.0

It was fine. It was a book. I didn’t hate it but it felt like the space version of red queen mixed with Anastasia but also not really and the plot twists just weren’t hitting for me. I had a really hard time getting into it but it did get better for me towards the end a little bit.
Also I think teenage me probably would’ve loved this book as well so if I was about 10 years younger it would’ve been the best book ever.

rsales2's review against another edition

3.0

I think this book is just lost. It tries to be a romance, a space opera, a pirate’s tale, a tale of lost royalty, and have found family. As a result, it’s a little of all of that and it’s confusing.

The plot was paper thin and I didn’t care about any of the ship’s crew. I actually thought the book got better towards the end as the action sped up. I also didn’t care about Ana and Di’s romance (when Di went Murderbot-easily the best part for me. Love the visuals haha), but I didn’t mind Robb and Jax. Jax was really interesting-I’d read a whole book about him!

I would read the author’s more recent romance but I probably won’t finish this series.

thatlizhunter's review against another edition

3.0

“Because I will follow you anywhere, to the ends of the galaxy, if I have to. I want to exist where you exist, and that is enough.”

What a thriller of a story! I really, really like the twist on a classical historical story. I mean, this book was pitched as Anastasia in Space, and yep, that's what it is.

Ana is a thief - and a good one. Her best friend, Di - a droid, needs help, so Ana decides to steal the coordinates to the only ship in the galaxy because that shop might be the key to helping Di. The only problem? An Ironblood noble, Robb, also wants those coordinates. The only way to get the coordinates might be to kidnap Robb, and take off into the galaxy.

This book is clearly fun. It's lighthearted, with action packed moments, emotions, and effortless diversity. I'd say the central point of this book is found family, and it delivers a star-studded message of love, acceptance and place.
So, why isn't this book 5 stars? Because, yes, I enjoyed it. Buuuttttttt, it just fell flat or into confused lines at other places.
But before I'm at all negative, let me share what I LOVED!

Effortless Diversity

The cast of this book is just so diverse. We have characters of color, LGBTQ characters, and characters defying gender roles/expectations.

Let's just talk about the on-page relationships. They're just there, and it's not a big deal that they exist in this book world? And I LOVE that. I absolutely love books that just include diverse relationships, and don't make a book focused about coming out.

Ships I Can LOVE

“I can’t lie, you insufferable Ironblood,” he chided. “I’m apologizing because I can’t forgive you right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to kiss you, ma’alor."

Robb and Jax are kind of adorable! Yes, it's very insta-lovey BUT we don't get that often with diverse characters and Robb and Jax DESERVE some happiness, okay? Okay. Favorite ship in this book.
And I mean, the way Robb apologizes? It just pulls at your heartstrings. He literally bows down, with his head TOUCHING THE GROUND. it's the most endearing thing.

I'm also not a huge fan of droid/human relationships, but it was well done with this book. It felt realistic and not weird? I can ship it.

Also, the pirate captain and her wife! Another beautiful pair who are a definite power couple.

World Building

“I promise you on iron and stars.”

The World building was super cool! I wanted to learn more! the Ironbloods and the HIVE'd droids, and the religion of the Goddess, it was all very exciting.

I liked the idea of court, and family feuds. Robb and his relationship with his mother was fantastically done. Just fantastic. His mother kept my teeth on edge.
The villains were also FANTASTIC!


Not So Great Things

Ashley Poston avoids info-dumping by interweaving action with casual comments about the Empire. BUT, I needed the info dumping. I was confused a lot in the beginning, rereading sections to try to understand the story better.

One thing I'm confused about (and still confused about) If Robb's mother is a Valerio, and her sister was a Valerio, how does Robb have the last name of Valerio? Wouldn't his mother have married a non-Valerio? She's so proud of being a Valerio and her sister was a Valerio, so who the heck was her husband??? Because both her sons are also Valerios. Erhg, confusion.

And some things were just randomly thrown in and NOT fleshed out very well. Which is weird because I know this isn't Ashley Poston's first book. One example, Robb's friend who is apparently dead? And TW: I am pretty sure he committed suicide? But it's just underwritten in Robb's thoughts and we're not given much of a backstory.

Finally, my biggest complaint, is that the plot felt very, very muddled. I was confused MOST of the time about what exactly the characters were trying to do. The goals kept shifting and it was frustrating.
Also, several characters backstories were weirdly mentioned but not fleshed out? Jax is probably my fav, but we're not really given information about his powers and it's just weird right now and I DO NOT UNDERSTAND his star reading skills. It just seems cruel? Read it, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

My Rating 3.5 Stars

Overall, a fun read! I definitely want to read the sequel because holy guacamole, that ending was intense! NOT EXPECTED.
And I mean, I'd seen a ton, and I mean like a million people, reacting to that ending, but it still took me by COMPLETE SURPRISE. Goddess above, Ashley Poston can write a plot twist.

“He died," she whispered. "I saw him die."
Di smiled sadly. "I will always come back to you."
And with all his iron heart, he believed it.”