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pineconebiscuit's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great faery book. I was never really keen on that style, but this story changed my mind. Heaps of action, good plot. Excited for next one :)
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Ik heb heel veel boeken gelezen in mijn leven. De meeste beroemde en bekende series zijn voor mij allemaal bekend. Maar deze serie is om de ene of de andere reden altijd tussen de mazen van het net doorgeglipt. Om de ene of de andere reden sprak het boek me net niet helemaal aan. Maar goed, toen ik nog fanatiek Fairloots verzamelde heb ik de eerste vier boeken in deze serie gekocht en toen ik gisteren zag dat de Nederlandse vertaling op Kobo plus stond besloot ik daar gebruik van te maken.
Dit boek heeft iets heel intrigerends en toch blies het me niet omver. De ingrediënten van het verhaal zijn heel tof. We hebben een hoofdpersoon die is opgegroeid in de mensenwereld en denkt dat ze een mens is. We hebben het hof van de Fey zoals we die kennen uit Shakespeare's Midzomernachtsdroom en we hebben een mythologie als basis voor het bestaan van de Fey die ook talloze nieuwe mogelijkheden met zich meebrengt.
Dat betekent dan ook dat dit boek vol zit met ontmoetingen, verkenningen en onbekende wezens en werelden. Normaal gesproken ben ik geen hele grote fan van enorm veel wereldopbouw, maar in dit geval heeft de auteur het eigenlijk op een dusdanige manier gedaan dat het niet stoort, maar juist heel natuurlijk voelt. Het is logisch dat onze personages van de ene plek naar de andere reizen en wij op die manier de wereld leren kennen.
En dat komt met name door de hoofdpersoon van het verhaal. Ik vond het persoonlijk wel heel tof dat de hoofdpersoon niet alleen maar stoer en sterk was. Zeker in het begin, als ze in een vreemde nieuwe wereld gegooid wordt, is wel duidelijk dat ze hulp nodig heeft en zichzelf niet kan redden. Ze leert gelukkig snel, maar er blijft altijd iets menselijks en kwetsbaars om haar heen hangen. Het maakt haar realistisch en herkenbaar tegelijk.
Ik miste nog wat emotie, maar ik ben wel nieuwsgierig naar deel 2!
Dit boek heeft iets heel intrigerends en toch blies het me niet omver. De ingrediënten van het verhaal zijn heel tof. We hebben een hoofdpersoon die is opgegroeid in de mensenwereld en denkt dat ze een mens is. We hebben het hof van de Fey zoals we die kennen uit Shakespeare's Midzomernachtsdroom en we hebben een mythologie als basis voor het bestaan van de Fey die ook talloze nieuwe mogelijkheden met zich meebrengt.
Dat betekent dan ook dat dit boek vol zit met ontmoetingen, verkenningen en onbekende wezens en werelden. Normaal gesproken ben ik geen hele grote fan van enorm veel wereldopbouw, maar in dit geval heeft de auteur het eigenlijk op een dusdanige manier gedaan dat het niet stoort, maar juist heel natuurlijk voelt. Het is logisch dat onze personages van de ene plek naar de andere reizen en wij op die manier de wereld leren kennen.
En dat komt met name door de hoofdpersoon van het verhaal. Ik vond het persoonlijk wel heel tof dat de hoofdpersoon niet alleen maar stoer en sterk was. Zeker in het begin, als ze in een vreemde nieuwe wereld gegooid wordt, is wel duidelijk dat ze hulp nodig heeft en zichzelf niet kan redden. Ze leert gelukkig snel, maar er blijft altijd iets menselijks en kwetsbaars om haar heen hangen. Het maakt haar realistisch en herkenbaar tegelijk.
Ik miste nog wat emotie, maar ik ben wel nieuwsgierig naar deel 2!
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Reading the description of this one, I really thought it would be the typical "girl finds out she's supernatural and/or meets someone who is supernatural, they fall in love, but the love is doomed." And while there is some love here, that's really not the focus of the book, and for that I'm glad.
Meghan is a strong character who is not afraid to do hard things for the people she cares about. There were really only a small handful of main characters in this quest-like story, but I liked them all. Although there are a lot of the typical fairy story elements here, there is also a lot that is original and new.
I would recommend this one to fans of YA fantasy, and to those who like strong female leads.
Meghan is a strong character who is not afraid to do hard things for the people she cares about. There were really only a small handful of main characters in this quest-like story, but I liked them all. Although there are a lot of the typical fairy story elements here, there is also a lot that is original and new.
I would recommend this one to fans of YA fantasy, and to those who like strong female leads.
misslover's review against another edition
3.0
I won't lie, but I struggled a bit on this one. Sitting here thinking about it for probably the last 20 minutes, I can't even think of a good reason why I did. I loved the concept of this book. Something about Fae novels really intrigues me. Something about this one just didn't really "click" for me.
Meghan was a great character. Her heart was in the right place and this made me admire her in so many different ways. I loved how the author brought in other mixed of stories into the book. Grimlkin, the oddest cat I'm sure I've ever heard of, reminded me so much of Alice in Wonderland and of course characters and settings like MidSummers Night Dream.
I love the whole aspect of the Seelie and Unseelie courts and all the characters who make these kingdoms so opposite. Why we always seem to see these as the good and evil, yet I wasn't really sure I saw either as such...
Why do I always fall for these mysterious, bad, hidden type boys. Something about Ash drew me in so quickly that I almost wished I learned more about him then what we were given. I guess this is something I can hope for in the books to come? I grew a huge love for little Ethan and I was a little disappointed that Puck couldn't be by Meghan's side in the end, as he seemed like such an important role in her life not to have him there by her side continuously. But I shouldn't complain cause maybe I am a little too happy that it was with Ash. *sigh*
Regardless, I was a little underwhelmed as I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. So, I am excited to continue this "journey" from here. :)
Meghan was a great character. Her heart was in the right place and this made me admire her in so many different ways. I loved how the author brought in other mixed of stories into the book. Grimlkin, the oddest cat I'm sure I've ever heard of, reminded me so much of Alice in Wonderland and of course characters and settings like MidSummers Night Dream.
I love the whole aspect of the Seelie and Unseelie courts and all the characters who make these kingdoms so opposite. Why we always seem to see these as the good and evil, yet I wasn't really sure I saw either as such...
Why do I always fall for these mysterious, bad, hidden type boys. Something about Ash drew me in so quickly that I almost wished I learned more about him then what we were given. I guess this is something I can hope for in the books to come? I grew a huge love for little Ethan and I was a little disappointed that Puck couldn't be by Meghan's side in the end, as he seemed like such an important role in her life not to have him there by her side continuously. But I shouldn't complain cause maybe I am a little too happy that it was with Ash. *sigh*
Regardless, I was a little underwhelmed as I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. So, I am excited to continue this "journey" from here. :)
rheannia's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Critically
Plot - 4 out of 5 stars
Really slow in the beginning. I really enjoyed how the characters were referenced to be from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Once the first few chapters passed, it was fast-paced, intricate and mysterious.
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
Simple, but sometimes boring. It was good with descriptions with some twists and turns that were unexpected which made it really interesting.
Characters - 4 out of 5 stars
Overall, all the characters were entertaining and complex. I felt like they all had a specific role to play. Meghan, our main character and narrator, was loyal, a very quick thinker, accepting and generally a tough gal. I liked how she presented herself in a place that was new an foreign to her. The other two main characters both male were completely different. One is stubborn but charming, loyal and honest. He's a brooder who takes life really seriously. The other is my fav. He's funny, loyal and protective. The ultimate jokester and prankster of all the land. He definitely livened things up when they got too tense for everyone.
Emotionally
The plot was good but sometimes it was really strange. It was slow in the beginning which makes sense for the world building, but it was also kind of boring in certain parts, confusing at other and exciting in some others as well. So it was kind of hard to stay on track with it. The pacing was also weird. It was steady which is good but it wasn't completely action packed or emotional. There were sections that were but it wasn't consistent throughout. It took until I got halfway through the book for it to get more exciting and that's when I started enjoying myself more. I would've liked it better if it had kept my interest the whole way through.
I liked Meghan okay. I feel like she should've been wow inducing, she should've been someone who impressed me right away and she didn't. She's loyal and quick on her feet and it showed a lot since she's in a completely new world. The only problem is that I wanted her to have a more extensive character development. There was some but I would've liked to see more specially after everything she goes through.
Ash, the Winter prince, was a little cold at first (pun intended). He's loyal to his court, a fierce warrior and had a certain vulnerability which I love in my male leads. The only problem with him is his romance with Meghan. I didn't understand where it came from and how it developed toward what we see in the end. I didn't connect with it so I didn't really cheer them on at all.
My favorite character of this entire book is Puck. He is my boo, my bae, my everything. I love his personality, he's such a jokester that in tense moments he's always trying his best to diffuse things. I feel like he brought such a good energy to the group of characters and to the plot and I loved it.
Grimalkin I'll mention briefly but I love him. He's the type of dry, sarcastic, uncaring character that is needed in such a diverse group. He shows up when he's needed and he has no interest in all the extra things going on and it's amazing.
The end was a bit of a cliffhanger. I wish Meghan would've gotten to stay with her family more time before having to leave to the Winter Court but it was not meant to be.
Plot - 4 out of 5 stars
Really slow in the beginning. I really enjoyed how the characters were referenced to be from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Once the first few chapters passed, it was fast-paced, intricate and mysterious.
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
Simple, but sometimes boring. It was good with descriptions with some twists and turns that were unexpected which made it really interesting.
Characters - 4 out of 5 stars
Overall, all the characters were entertaining and complex. I felt like they all had a specific role to play. Meghan, our main character and narrator, was loyal, a very quick thinker, accepting and generally a tough gal. I liked how she presented herself in a place that was new an foreign to her. The other two main characters both male were completely different. One is stubborn but charming, loyal and honest. He's a brooder who takes life really seriously. The other is my fav. He's funny, loyal and protective. The ultimate jokester and prankster of all the land. He definitely livened things up when they got too tense for everyone.
Emotionally
Spoiler
I first added this to my TBR pile of March before I started reading but then I changed my mind and went with something else. But then I got it as my TBR jar pick and now that I've finished it, I'm going to continue with the series.The plot was good but sometimes it was really strange. It was slow in the beginning which makes sense for the world building, but it was also kind of boring in certain parts, confusing at other and exciting in some others as well. So it was kind of hard to stay on track with it. The pacing was also weird. It was steady which is good but it wasn't completely action packed or emotional. There were sections that were but it wasn't consistent throughout. It took until I got halfway through the book for it to get more exciting and that's when I started enjoying myself more. I would've liked it better if it had kept my interest the whole way through.
I liked Meghan okay. I feel like she should've been wow inducing, she should've been someone who impressed me right away and she didn't. She's loyal and quick on her feet and it showed a lot since she's in a completely new world. The only problem is that I wanted her to have a more extensive character development. There was some but I would've liked to see more specially after everything she goes through.
Ash, the Winter prince, was a little cold at first (pun intended). He's loyal to his court, a fierce warrior and had a certain vulnerability which I love in my male leads. The only problem with him is his romance with Meghan. I didn't understand where it came from and how it developed toward what we see in the end. I didn't connect with it so I didn't really cheer them on at all.
My favorite character of this entire book is Puck. He is my boo, my bae, my everything. I love his personality, he's such a jokester that in tense moments he's always trying his best to diffuse things. I feel like he brought such a good energy to the group of characters and to the plot and I loved it.
Grimalkin I'll mention briefly but I love him. He's the type of dry, sarcastic, uncaring character that is needed in such a diverse group. He shows up when he's needed and he has no interest in all the extra things going on and it's amazing.
The end was a bit of a cliffhanger. I wish Meghan would've gotten to stay with her family more time before having to leave to the Winter Court but it was not meant to be.
bucherwurmchen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
swampbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The first few chapters were over-saturated with YA cliches. There was literally a “today is the day that [insert hot jock character] will notice me” scene. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cringe more. There were some more moments that elicited groans, but not as bad as those first initial chapters
This is advertised as a young adult book but the reading level and plot felt more like a middle reader. But like… with cuss words.
Honestly, the entire story felt like it was just pulling bits of other existing stories into one newly refurbished book. The author obviously pulled inspiration from classic Renaissance literature by using the characters Puck, King Oberon, and others, but there were also bits of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. I get paying homage, but after a point it just made the story feel unoriginal.
Meghan is an all-around average main character. My biggest gripe with her is that she has big “I’m not like other girls cuz I hate dresses and would never spend time doing makeup” energy, which isn’t very #girlboss of her.
I’m willing to try the next book but my expectations are pretty low at this point.
Minor spoilers below!
Also, the speed at which she and Ash went from enemies to lovers was ridiculous. They knew each other for what? Two weeks? He literally said he was going to kill her when they first met and less than a month later they’re practically a couple. That’s just silly! I need more evil time.
This is advertised as a young adult book but the reading level and plot felt more like a middle reader. But like… with cuss words.
Honestly, the entire story felt like it was just pulling bits of other existing stories into one newly refurbished book. The author obviously pulled inspiration from classic Renaissance literature by using the characters Puck, King Oberon, and others, but there were also bits of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. I get paying homage, but after a point it just made the story feel unoriginal.
Meghan is an all-around average main character. My biggest gripe with her is that she has big “I’m not like other girls cuz I hate dresses and would never spend time doing makeup” energy, which isn’t very #girlboss of her.
I’m willing to try the next book but my expectations are pretty low at this point.
Minor spoilers below!
Also, the speed at which she and Ash went from enemies to lovers was ridiculous. They knew each other for what? Two weeks? He literally said he was going to kill her when they first met and less than a month later they’re practically a couple. That’s just silly! I need more evil time.
kayteaface's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 / 5
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book! I was quite skeptical before I read it because when I think of fairies as characters in books and films I see OTT girly Tinkerbell kinds of things and that doesn't really appeal to me. The fairies in the Iron King, however, were all kinds of badass sword-wielding goodness.
I thought Kagawa's writing was fabulous and so magical; her words created such vivid images for me and I felt like I was there in the Nevernever, watching the story unfold.
I really enjoyed the plot. It was very exciting and had me hooked from the get go. The one thing that made me dock a half star, though, was the romance. Uhm, where did that even come from? It felt really unnecessary and awkward to me. I was cringing like a boss when Meghan was described as Ash's "beloved". I also didn't really see Ash's appeal to the majority of girls on Goodreads - I much preferred Puck. Plz not 2 lynch me.
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book! I was quite skeptical before I read it because when I think of fairies as characters in books and films I see OTT girly Tinkerbell kinds of things and that doesn't really appeal to me. The fairies in the Iron King, however, were all kinds of badass sword-wielding goodness.
I thought Kagawa's writing was fabulous and so magical; her words created such vivid images for me and I felt like I was there in the Nevernever, watching the story unfold.
I really enjoyed the plot. It was very exciting and had me hooked from the get go. The one thing that made me dock a half star, though, was the romance. Uhm, where did that even come from? It felt really unnecessary and awkward to me. I was cringing like a boss when Meghan was described as Ash's "beloved". I also didn't really see Ash's appeal to the majority of girls on Goodreads - I much preferred Puck. Plz not 2 lynch me.