Reviews

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

halynah's review

3.0

Well, I usually love this type of books, but in this book I didn't like the main characters and it influenced everything for me. Charismatic characters may save even the weak plot or style of writing, so I think it's very important to create powerful and interesting protagonists. First Meghan - she is unemotional, not very bright and the episode, where she preferred her smelly and dirty clothes to the dress her father said to give her made me dislike her very much. Puck is not so bad, but for a renowned jester his jokes and pranks are not funny. Ash is a cold and boring guy and I didn't feel the supposed attraction between them. The only interesting characters are Ethan and Grimalkin. The plot was unusual, but often chaotic. It rarely occurs, when I don't read other books in the series, but I'm afraid this may be the case.

shorty_320's review

5.0

Let this be an indication of how much I enjoyed this book; just hours after finishing, I went out and bought the second book in the series. Loved, loved, loved it!!

I'm no stranger to Faery stories, so I really liked to addition of the Iron Fey. Definitely a nice change from other such stories!

rjdenney's review

1.0

After page 67 I stopped, it wasn't appealing after that to me sorry. I also really disliked the main character Meghan. I will not be carrying on with the trilogy.

rachfantsy's review

5.0

this was one of the best series that i have ever read. i was in love with all the characters and the settings. not one thing about this book dissapointed me. the book was so amazing that i have no words.

karelidz's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Honestly very nice. It felt like a true fantasy-like book. Like the type of fairytale that you read as a kid.
The pacing was really good throughout the whole thing, it kept me engaged the whole time, and the end just left me wanting more.
Will definitely be reading the next one. I need to know what happens

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review

DNF

Story wasn’t as good as I thought it would be

theunfriendlyghost's review

2.0

I read this book as a young teen when I was perhaps the best age to appreciate this style of fiction, and it still didn't captivate me. I found the relationships, plot developments, and dialogue predictable and stilted. For those reasons my first thought was to give one star, but I'm remembering now how much I loved the author's creativity in incorporating mythical creatures that are often overlooked and left undiscovered, so an extra star for fun flora and fauna!

spiderdrac's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Meh, didn't love the characters and the romance felt sudden and out of place. The world building was my favorite part.

blove0312's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a decent book. It’s definitely for a younger audience, but I knew that going in. I can see a “love triangle” except not a true triangle bc all parties aren’t interest in each other, coming up which is annoyed and way overplayed, but I’ll allow if the characters get some depth to them. I’m not a quitter and since it isn’t tedious I’ll see it though til the end. Also though, fck “love at first sight” bc it’s annoying and impossible. 

The story is one catastrophe after the next though, with quick resolution and little fall out, which isn’t quite believable but hey, I also like reading the stories with <i>truthful</i> fae - they belittle humans and any being “under” them, they’re cruel for the sake of being cruel, they steal children and leave changelings in place, they don’t all look like <insert Chris Hemsworth or similar, muscles upon muscles> etc. 

I was saddened about Meghan losing those specific memories and the person involved, but in any other story I’ve read where they lose A single memory, it’s just that. Not the people involved. But maybe I just didn’t read that passage closely enough. 

miss_merna's review

2.0

Actual rating: 1.49

The Iron king was crammed with descriptions of dragons, trolls, and whatever mythical creature there is. Not to forget, forbidden love between a prince and a princess. At times you would forget this was not a children’s book, but then there were times when these mythical creatures got a little sexual…

“I see you like it a little rough,” he wheezed, brushing himself off. Shaking his head, he ran a tongue over his lips and stepped forward. “That’s okay, we can do rough, right boys?”

But then wait. Where the hell is that love interest who’s going to rescue this irritating heroine, and give a sarcastic remark along the way?

Oh, there he comes.

“So can I.” a dark shape glided out the trees. “This one,” Ash growled, “is off-limit.”

No sarcastic remark? Oh, I was really hoping for one-

“No one touches her,” Ash said, his voice coated with frost. “Touch her, and I’ll freeze your testicles and put them in a jar.”

What?

The Iron king had a big massive pile of dry humour. I mean only an 11 year old would laugh at these colossal fail attempts at jokes. ONLY.

Should I unravel the ridiculous plot to you?

The story centers on a normal girl named Meghan Chase who lives in a farm, and complains consistently about not having a mobile phone. She discovers that her father is some important dude in fairyland. Her little brother gets kidnapped, and Meghan sets out to retrieve him back, so that leads to the most boring journey.

I can’t believe I actually found a fairy book worse than wicked lovely. So, according to my statistics, it’s now more possible to find a lame story these days than a decent one.

I have to make this clear.

There’s a difference between wanting to write a book and wanting to write a good story.

I suggest some authors should really figure out the difference.