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beaktastic's review against another edition
5.0
I was looking for something quite quick and easy to read on train journeys when I went away for a few days, before starting a group read the day I would be getting back. I was able to download a .pdf file of this book months ago and it's been sitting on my kindle waiting to be read since and so I decided now was a good time. I wasn't quite sure what to expect of it but I have to say I was wonderfully surprised by the book.
The Iron King tells the story of Meghan Chase, who is just approaching her 16th birthday. She lives on a farm with her mother, step-father Luke and 4 year old half-brother Ethan. Meghan has never felt particularly popular or wanted, and vainly hopes that turning sweet 16 will change that. It does, but not in the way she expected. On her 16th birthday, Ethan starts acting wierdly, and Meghan discovers that he has been replaced by a magical creature called a Changeling, and Ethan has been kidnapped and taken to the Faeryland, known as the Nevernever. Meghan then must embark on a journey to find and rescue Ethan, aided by long time friend Robbie who already knew that Faeries existed, and she learns a lot more about herself than she ever suspected...
I have to say, I haven't really read many books about Faeries, so a lot of the story and the world felt quite fresh to me, while at the same time obvious thanks to what I have read and know about traditional fey lore. The whole world felt so real and was just so well thought out. I liked they used the common idea of gaining strength from the publics belief in the characters and how that strengthens or weakens the fey..
What I really loved about the book were the characters. I thought Meghan was a good main character. She acted like a fairly typical 16 year old girl, but I liked how she grew stronger and smarter and how she adapted to the Fey world over the course of the book, and as it is narrated from her POV you do really learn about her and her personality. Robin was a great 'sidekick' type character. He's just a perfect, funny, witty sidekick type character who always looking for a bit more fun. He was just great, Grimalkin was also great, your typical quiet but intelligent guide and teacher character, and essentially the Cheshire Cat.
Ash was a good love interest character, and you could see why Meghan liked him, which was refreshing when a lot of YA Literature these days can be quite lazy as to the relationship building between the love interests, since the audience knows they'll just end up together. But you could feel the attraction between them.
Overall, I thought this was a really good and interesting book, and it felt quite fresh whilst using and building upon basic faery lore and stuff. It was a lot better than I was expecting and I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
The Iron King tells the story of Meghan Chase, who is just approaching her 16th birthday. She lives on a farm with her mother, step-father Luke and 4 year old half-brother Ethan. Meghan has never felt particularly popular or wanted, and vainly hopes that turning sweet 16 will change that. It does, but not in the way she expected. On her 16th birthday, Ethan starts acting wierdly, and Meghan discovers that he has been replaced by a magical creature called a Changeling, and Ethan has been kidnapped and taken to the Faeryland, known as the Nevernever. Meghan then must embark on a journey to find and rescue Ethan, aided by long time friend Robbie who already knew that Faeries existed, and she learns a lot more about herself than she ever suspected...
I have to say, I haven't really read many books about Faeries, so a lot of the story and the world felt quite fresh to me, while at the same time obvious thanks to what I have read and know about traditional fey lore. The whole world felt so real and was just so well thought out. I liked they used the common idea of gaining strength from the publics belief in the characters and how that strengthens or weakens the fey.
Spoiler
And I liked how this played into the creation of the Iron fey, and how they were born from the dreams of future technology and stuff, as it wasn't an idea I'd ever really thought about beforeWhat I really loved about the book were the characters. I thought Meghan was a good main character. She acted like a fairly typical 16 year old girl, but I liked how she grew stronger and smarter and how she adapted to the Fey world over the course of the book, and as it is narrated from her POV you do really learn about her and her personality. Robin was a great 'sidekick' type character. He's just a perfect, funny, witty sidekick type character who always looking for a bit more fun. He was just great,
Spoiler
and while it was very obvious early on that he was some kind of Faery creature/person, I did not expect him to be revealed as Robin Goodfellow, aka. Puck! I liked this kind of portrayal of Puck, but I remember Puck being kinda different to how he is here...Ash was a good love interest character, and you could see why Meghan liked him, which was refreshing when a lot of YA Literature these days can be quite lazy as to the relationship building between the love interests, since the audience knows they'll just end up together. But you could feel the attraction between them.
Spoiler
I didn't really like the love triangle part between Meghan, Ash and Puck, as I thought the Puck x Meghan thing was a bit weird and I just thought they would be better as friends or have a more brother-sister relationship. It was obvious that Puck kinda had feelings for Meghan but it did just annoy me and it felt a bit tacked on to create tension and drama and slow down the developing relationship between Meghan and Ash.Overall, I thought this was a really good and interesting book, and it felt quite fresh whilst using and building upon basic faery lore and stuff. It was a lot better than I was expecting and I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
vanikr's review against another edition
5.0
Plötzlich Fee ist ein wirklich schönes Buch. Ich finde diese Feengeschichte wurde super umgesetzt. Ich liebe die Figuren, besonders Maggie und Ash. Ich habe Ash von Anfang an geliebt. Ab und zu bin ich ein bisschen abgeschweift, aber irgendwie liebe ich Sommernacht trotzdem und ich will jetzt unbedingt den 2. Teil lesen, weil ich wissen will wie es mit Ash und Meghan weitergeht.
eesh25's review against another edition
2.0
When it comes to romance novels, it's become pretty easy for me to avoid crappy read. There are so many authors I already love, and reviews help. And since I read so much romance last year, I didn't get many disappointing reads. In fact, this one might be the most disappointing of them all.
The story is about a fifteen-year-old girl whose younger brother is taken by a faery and replaced with a changeling. And to bring him back home, Meghan, along with her best friend who, it turns out, is a faery himself, embarks on a journey through the land of faery. And on the way, she makes some discoveries about who she is.
But what she makes more, is dumb choices. Meghan started as a good protagonist. She was surprisingly ordinary, just a teenage girl trying to survive high school. And that gave gravity to her decision to go into dangerous and unknown lands, to save her brother. She was the reason that I actually enjoyed the first quarter of the novel. But things started to go downhill soon after. The moment she landed in faery, really.
The problem started with the lack of world-building. I mean, I've read plenty of fae-related books, so I'm fairly familiar with them. Which was a good thing since the book didn't bother explaining much. Other than a few references to A Midsummer Night's Dream, that is. Then came other problems.
I don't know if Meghan lacked a personality from the beginning, and I didn't notice, or if the author deleted it after, but if there were ever a zero-dimensional character, Meghan's it. She's nothing beyond what the plot needs her to be. The other characters—the best friend, the brother, the love interest—were all one-dimensional. Don't even get me started on the villains, who were cartoonish and reminded me of an animated series from Cartoon Network. And not even one of the good ones.
In terms of the writing, the book read like a middle-grade novel with the story of a mediocre children's book. Combine that with a plot that was driven solely by plot-relevant things simply happening to the protagonist, or her making dumb decisions with little explanation, all so the author could get the story to her planned destination...
By the end, I was just glad to be done with the book. So it's safe to say that I'm not reading the sequel. I'm not quite ready to give up on the author just yet, but it'll probably be a while before I pick up something of hers again.
The story is about a fifteen-year-old girl whose younger brother is taken by a faery and replaced with a changeling. And to bring him back home, Meghan, along with her best friend who, it turns out, is a faery himself, embarks on a journey through the land of faery. And on the way, she makes some discoveries about who she is.
But what she makes more, is dumb choices. Meghan started as a good protagonist. She was surprisingly ordinary, just a teenage girl trying to survive high school. And that gave gravity to her decision to go into dangerous and unknown lands, to save her brother. She was the reason that I actually enjoyed the first quarter of the novel. But things started to go downhill soon after. The moment she landed in faery, really.
The problem started with the lack of world-building. I mean, I've read plenty of fae-related books, so I'm fairly familiar with them. Which was a good thing since the book didn't bother explaining much. Other than a few references to A Midsummer Night's Dream, that is. Then came other problems.
I don't know if Meghan lacked a personality from the beginning, and I didn't notice, or if the author deleted it after, but if there were ever a zero-dimensional character, Meghan's it. She's nothing beyond what the plot needs her to be. The other characters—the best friend, the brother, the love interest—were all one-dimensional. Don't even get me started on the villains, who were cartoonish and reminded me of an animated series from Cartoon Network. And not even one of the good ones.
In terms of the writing, the book read like a middle-grade novel with the story of a mediocre children's book. Combine that with a plot that was driven solely by plot-relevant things simply happening to the protagonist, or her making dumb decisions with little explanation, all so the author could get the story to her planned destination...
By the end, I was just glad to be done with the book. So it's safe to say that I'm not reading the sequel. I'm not quite ready to give up on the author just yet, but it'll probably be a while before I pick up something of hers again.
marcysbuecherecke's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
First in the Iron Fey Young Adult paranormal series.
The Story
Meghan Chase is about to turn 16 and her life is a misery. Clothes from Goodwill, no friends except Robin, a mother who can barely remember her birthday, and she lives on a pig farm! Then she discovers a changeling has taken her four-year-old brother's place. And Robin reveals himself as something more than she thought as he takes her into faery to rescue Ethan.
A faery of monsters and other creatures who prey upon her until she finds herself in Oberon's court only to be stunned yet again by the revelation of her true history. But Oberon's court is no safe haven especially when the Winter Court comes to call at Elysium, the time of year when treaties are made and agreements contracted. And Prince Ash, the faery lord who has dogged her steps, insists upon dancing with her.
Meghan seizes her chance and escapes with the Cait Sithe to find her way to Mab's court in hopes of finding Ethan there only to be waylaid yet again…and again…and again
My Take
Definitely a Young Adult novel. I did enjoy the story, but the lack of buildup was rather irritating and Kagawa lost track at one point when Meghan is "lying in a strange bed in the faery kingdom" and suddenly thinks that "Is your father, not was. As if Oberon knew where he was." Which makes absolutely no sense as everyone in faery acknowledges who her father is which is certainly not where Meghan's thoughts are going. What's up with that?? I do intend to read Iron Daughter if only to see where her romance leads.
The Cover
The woman on the cover with all the frills of nature ranging from organic to the metal of the Iron King makes me think of the Lord of the Rings movie and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel. Very fae-like with a hint of mystery.
The Story
Meghan Chase is about to turn 16 and her life is a misery. Clothes from Goodwill, no friends except Robin, a mother who can barely remember her birthday, and she lives on a pig farm! Then she discovers a changeling has taken her four-year-old brother's place. And Robin reveals himself as something more than she thought as he takes her into faery to rescue Ethan.
A faery of monsters and other creatures who prey upon her until she finds herself in Oberon's court only to be stunned yet again by the revelation of her true history. But Oberon's court is no safe haven especially when the Winter Court comes to call at Elysium, the time of year when treaties are made and agreements contracted. And Prince Ash, the faery lord who has dogged her steps, insists upon dancing with her.
Meghan seizes her chance and escapes with the Cait Sithe to find her way to Mab's court in hopes of finding Ethan there only to be waylaid yet again…and again…and again
My Take
Definitely a Young Adult novel. I did enjoy the story, but the lack of buildup was rather irritating and Kagawa lost track at one point when Meghan is "lying in a strange bed in the faery kingdom" and suddenly thinks that "Is your father, not was. As if Oberon knew where he was." Which makes absolutely no sense as everyone in faery acknowledges who her father is which is certainly not where Meghan's thoughts are going. What's up with that?? I do intend to read Iron Daughter if only to see where her romance leads.
The Cover
The woman on the cover with all the frills of nature ranging from organic to the metal of the Iron King makes me think of the Lord of the Rings movie and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel. Very fae-like with a hint of mystery.
rhiaintheclouds's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
i enjoyed it at the beginning bc of the banter between Puck & Meghan. The rest was interesting but idk how i felt about Meghan and Ash being in love . I think if I read this when I was younger, I definitely would've eaten it up.
I can see why it was a fan favourite tho, there were definitely quite a lot of high stakes moments in this and not as obvious plot armour.
I can see why it was a fan favourite tho, there were definitely quite a lot of high stakes moments in this and not as obvious plot armour.
narcissia's review against another edition
3.0
I should probably start by saying that I have really been wanting to find a faerie series that I enjoy, that I can't seem to like any of them as much as I want to, and that, because I want to like one so bad, I keep trying. Thus, we arrive at The Iron King.
I do like The Iron King more than other faerie books that I've read previously, but sometimes Meghan gets on my nerves. She sure does seem to trip and fall into Ash a lot. And it annoys me that she is yet another heroine who, for some unexplained reason, is attracted to a guy who might kill her, and who tells her as much on more than one occasion. There's no real bonding between the two of them (unless you count repeatedly tripping into him or falling and then having to be caught/carried), or even much conversation. So this frustrates me. A lot. Her redeeming qualities are her loyalty and determination. But she is also prone to making rash, idiotic decisions and often ignores good advice. Puck and Grimalkin are great characters though, and are easily my favorites. The only problem with them, really, is that they are both pre-existing characters, and I'm not sure if I like Julie Kagawa's versions of them, or if I just already liked them from other stories and that interest carried over into this book. Ash seems flat in his interactions with Meghan. The bits of his personality that do shine through are a result of his interactions with Puck.
I do like the plot. Meghan's brother is taken by the fae, and she must get him back. But there are also things that threaten to destroy the world which the fae inhabit. There are obviously numerous and varied threats to her in the faerie realm, which led to some fun scenes. The pacing is steady, and there's a good bit of action.
So I'm trying to decide if I should read the next one to see if Meghan will be less irritating to me now that she has some experience under her belt. She was my least favorite character in this one though, which is frustrating. Part of me wants to see if her attraction to Ash ever has a basis that is not superficial. Or if she ever stops being so infuriatingly blind to Puck's potential (not even necessarily as a love interest - just in general). Or if she ever stops tripping like Bella and learns to walk like a normal person. Does anyone slap some freaking sense into her? Does she experience that type of growth? Should I give Meghan another chance, or will I just be disappointed?
I do like The Iron King more than other faerie books that I've read previously, but sometimes Meghan gets on my nerves. She sure does seem to trip and fall into Ash a lot. And it annoys me that she is yet another heroine who, for some unexplained reason, is attracted to a guy who might kill her, and who tells her as much on more than one occasion. There's no real bonding between the two of them (unless you count repeatedly tripping into him or falling and then having to be caught/carried), or even much conversation. So this frustrates me. A lot. Her redeeming qualities are her loyalty and determination. But she is also prone to making rash, idiotic decisions and often ignores good advice. Puck and Grimalkin are great characters though, and are easily my favorites. The only problem with them, really, is that they are both pre-existing characters, and I'm not sure if I like Julie Kagawa's versions of them, or if I just already liked them from other stories and that interest carried over into this book. Ash seems flat in his interactions with Meghan. The bits of his personality that do shine through are a result of his interactions with Puck.
I do like the plot. Meghan's brother is taken by the fae, and she must get him back. But there are also things that threaten to destroy the world which the fae inhabit. There are obviously numerous and varied threats to her in the faerie realm, which led to some fun scenes. The pacing is steady, and there's a good bit of action.
So I'm trying to decide if I should read the next one to see if Meghan will be less irritating to me now that she has some experience under her belt. She was my least favorite character in this one though, which is frustrating. Part of me wants to see if her attraction to Ash ever has a basis that is not superficial. Or if she ever stops being so infuriatingly blind to Puck's potential (not even necessarily as a love interest - just in general). Or if she ever stops tripping like Bella and learns to walk like a normal person. Does anyone slap some freaking sense into her? Does she experience that type of growth? Should I give Meghan another chance, or will I just be disappointed?
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
A 16 year old girl that has never fit in. Is drawn into the fey world when her brother is replaced with an evil copy. Her best friend is not what she tought he was and a love may be in her future. She must rise above who she thinks she is and open herself up to new reasoning. This is a fantastic tale, Having an "Alice in Wonderland" feel to it. The characters are strong and some very wicked. I just enjoyed escaping into this story and can't wait for book 2. What will Ash do with her ?