Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
AMAZING! You can read my whole review here: http://wickedreaders.blogspot.com/2011/10/iron-knight-by-julia-kagawa.html
Pretty good if I do say so myself :D
Pretty good if I do say so myself :D
I actually like Ash (lol; i’m not team ash or anything, but he’s definitely cool), so I remember I was excited when I first picked up the Iron Knight! This book follows Ash on his quest to obtain the one thing the fey lack: a soul. With some new and old faces joining Ash on his journey, we follow him on his quest.
I think the book was mostly entertaining! Puck was still Puck and Grim was still Grim. I felt it was like old times with Meghan, but not quite. Ash is very ~dark and edgy~ and you could tell in his narration and moods. I think it took on more of a darker tone because of it? But he was more mature and I think from the beginning to the end, you really see him grow. Overall, great book, wish some things were different! I'll be talking about my gripes in more detail in the spoilers,
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK ⚠️
This may sound wrong, but I think Ash needed to suffer more. Yeah, he's Unseelie and super immortal, so he's obviously done a lot of wrong. I think that when he did the second trial of going through the past, he didn't really get to feel the weight of all those he killed and made suffer by him. He felt regret, but at the same time, he should have done some sort of penance for all that he wronged. Though, saying that, he had a conscience, deep down when we were going through the memories.
Clearly, I liked the book but I had some gripes with it. I think some chapters could have been left out, like the hobayahs and whatnot. It would have been interesting to explore more of the dream world that Ash was in with Meghan. If we got more glimpses of the trials that the Guardian put Ash through, I think that would have been cool to see. I think also Ariella would have been cool if she was fleshed out a little more, rather than the jealous ex-girlfriend.
It would have been super meaningful if instead of Ariella sacrificing herself for Ash, it would have been Puck. The two of them have loads of history together and it might have been symbolic if he gave up his life for his friend. That would have been a true display of friendship. If that happened, maybe Puck would have been reincarnated. I feel like it would have given him more of a purpose? Or make his character shine a little more? I'm not sure, but yeah! Great book, just wish some things were different.
I think the book was mostly entertaining! Puck was still Puck and Grim was still Grim. I felt it was like old times with Meghan, but not quite. Ash is very ~dark and edgy~ and you could tell in his narration and moods. I think it took on more of a darker tone because of it? But he was more mature and I think from the beginning to the end, you really see him grow. Overall, great book, wish some things were different! I'll be talking about my gripes in more detail in the spoilers,
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK ⚠️
This may sound wrong, but I think Ash needed to suffer more. Yeah, he's Unseelie and super immortal, so he's obviously done a lot of wrong. I think that when he did the second trial of going through the past, he didn't really get to feel the weight of all those he killed and made suffer by him. He felt regret, but at the same time, he should have done some sort of penance for all that he wronged. Though, saying that, he had a conscience, deep down when we were going through the memories.
Clearly, I liked the book but I had some gripes with it. I think some chapters could have been left out, like the hobayahs and whatnot. It would have been interesting to explore more of the dream world that Ash was in with Meghan. If we got more glimpses of the trials that the Guardian put Ash through, I think that would have been cool to see. I think also Ariella would have been cool if she was fleshed out a little more, rather than the jealous ex-girlfriend.
It would have been super meaningful if instead of Ariella sacrificing herself for Ash, it would have been Puck. The two of them have loads of history together and it might have been symbolic if he gave up his life for his friend. That would have been a true display of friendship. If that happened, maybe Puck would have been reincarnated. I feel like it would have given him more of a purpose? Or make his character shine a little more? I'm not sure, but yeah! Great book, just wish some things were different.
Holy shoot. Seriously, I've read about ten of Julie Kagawa's books, including interquel novellas, and I truly believe that this one is her most skillful (that I've read so far, at least). The characterization and emotions in this was just masterful. I was put through tears twice, which isn't a common thing for me.
((Oh, one point I wanted to make real quick before waxing golden about the emotions -- I really liked the author's decision to make this book from Ash's point-of-view because it painted him in a much more realistic way, as opposed to the girl's "zomg, flawless" image of him. We saw his weaknesses and inner doubts, which was good. Okay, on to main review))
The pain and indecision that Ash kept going through was absolutely palpable. What particularly struck me hard was when he had to confront the realities of aging, which is a deeply embedded fear for me. I hate to say that if I were him, I would strongly be in favor of changing my mind at that point.
The only thing I'm wondering about now is that this book very much ended like a real ending, so I wonder how it could continue in Iron Traitor, where -- or with whom -- the story will pick up. Guess I'll find out soon ^^ Oh my gosh XD So embarassed. Didn't realize that Iron Traitor is actually in the *next* series, after The Lost Prince. So we are leaving the fabulous three. Awwww.
But seriously, while perhaps not my favorite book by her, this one has rocketed my esteem for Julie Kagawa's writing even higher.
((Oh, one point I wanted to make real quick before waxing golden about the emotions -- I really liked the author's decision to make this book from Ash's point-of-view because it painted him in a much more realistic way, as opposed to the girl's "zomg, flawless" image of him. We saw his weaknesses and inner doubts, which was good. Okay, on to main review))
The pain and indecision that Ash kept going through was absolutely palpable. What particularly struck me hard was when he had to confront the realities of aging, which is a deeply embedded fear for me. I hate to say that if I were him, I would strongly be in favor of changing my mind at that point.
Spoiler
That he went through with it was a bit of a surprise for me, but not unwelcome. Also, that he got to keep some of his glamour made me feel soooo utterly happy!! Perhaps he'll age slower this way, or even retain his youth like Meghan, though I'm not holding my breath on that. Who knows. I'm also happy that he got to -- in a sense -- keep Ariella with him as part of his new soul <3But seriously, while perhaps not my favorite book by her, this one has rocketed my esteem for Julie Kagawa's writing even higher.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Short and Sweet of It
When the woman he loves is made queen of a kingdom which would kill him, Ash vows to find a way to be with her. But a journey to beat all odds comes with a price.
A Bit of a Ramble
SPOILER What I found most intriguing about the book was the large role Ash's first love plays in the tale. We spend almost no time with Meghan here as the story is Ash's quest to find a way to be with her; instead we spend a whole bunch of time with the one who got away, the woman he loved and would have spent his life with had she not died (or not, or did, or not...). It is typical of novels focused on luuurrvvee to operate under the assumption that there is only one love of a lifetime, that we have one soul mate and all others pale in comparison. That is decidedly not the case here. I kind of like that. END SPOILER
My problem with this book is Ash. In previous novels in the series, Ash is action. He is ruthless and focused and sure of himself. In this book, not so much. Instead he is all Hamletish with the introspection and self-doubt and blah blah blah. Some of this internal turmoil had to come to the forefront in this installment since it is the first time we are reading from his point of view. But at times, I felt like this Ash was completely different from the previous Ash - or at least a much more gooey-eyed, lovey-dovey version of Ash. Perhaps a large part of my problem is that the whole I-will-sacrifice-anything-and-everything-for-love thing came across as a bit much here. What Ash had to give up - in essence all of himself - is sure asking a lot. Still, the action is good, the characters are unique, and the world building truly intriguing.
Apparently there is one more novella in this series to round out the tale, and then a new series begins within the same world, starring Meghan's brother Ethan. I think I will hold off on the new series for a bit as I'm feeling rather immersed in Nevernever and getting a bit burnt out. I am going to finish up with the novella though.
When the woman he loves is made queen of a kingdom which would kill him, Ash vows to find a way to be with her. But a journey to beat all odds comes with a price.
A Bit of a Ramble
SPOILER What I found most intriguing about the book was the large role Ash's first love plays in the tale. We spend almost no time with Meghan here as the story is Ash's quest to find a way to be with her; instead we spend a whole bunch of time with the one who got away, the woman he loved and would have spent his life with had she not died (or not, or did, or not...). It is typical of novels focused on luuurrvvee to operate under the assumption that there is only one love of a lifetime, that we have one soul mate and all others pale in comparison. That is decidedly not the case here. I kind of like that. END SPOILER
My problem with this book is Ash. In previous novels in the series, Ash is action. He is ruthless and focused and sure of himself. In this book, not so much. Instead he is all Hamletish with the introspection and self-doubt and blah blah blah. Some of this internal turmoil had to come to the forefront in this installment since it is the first time we are reading from his point of view. But at times, I felt like this Ash was completely different from the previous Ash - or at least a much more gooey-eyed, lovey-dovey version of Ash. Perhaps a large part of my problem is that the whole I-will-sacrifice-anything-and-everything-for-love thing came across as a bit much here. What Ash had to give up - in essence all of himself - is sure asking a lot. Still, the action is good, the characters are unique, and the world building truly intriguing.
Apparently there is one more novella in this series to round out the tale, and then a new series begins within the same world, starring Meghan's brother Ethan. I think I will hold off on the new series for a bit as I'm feeling rather immersed in Nevernever and getting a bit burnt out. I am going to finish up with the novella though.
i keep meaning to go back to this, because i honestly don't remember how it ends. like, at all.
maybe it was traumatic and i blocked it.
maybe it was traumatic and i blocked it.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was the conclusion to the Iron Fey series and despite it being the one I was most excited about... it wasn't the best. I'm not sure what it is with this series... it's not that I don't like it but I also don't... I'm still debating if I'll read the spin off.