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The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa: Audiobook Review
Book: The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa, Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd, November 1, 2011
Audiobook Info: YA Fantasy, Audiobook purchased at Audible.com, Audio length: 13 hours 18 minutes, read by MacLeod Andrews. Also available in paperback from Harlequin Teen.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars (Story: 4 stars, Audiobook: 2 stars)
I was just saying recently how I put off reading end-of-series books as long as possible. Case in point: The Iron Knight, which has been out close to a year now. What finally got me to read The Iron Knight is the fact that the spinoff series is due out soon and I realized I still needed to read this book. The Iron Knight has all the action, adventure, love and humor that I’ve come to expect from this series. And this installment has the added treat of sharing the POV of fan favorite Prince Ash.
It was interesting getting inside Ash’s head. The winter prince is such a dark, mysterious character that I was really looking forward to unraveling some of that mystery. Truth be told though, I really missed Meghan’s perspective and wish that there was an alternating POV instead. Even though I’m a big fan of Ash, this was maybe too much of a good thing. It was intense hearing his thoughts and inner turmoil for the whole book. I think that it was necessary due to the nature of the story to have Ash narrate; I just think that Meghan is a good balance to Ash’s moodiness and she was missed. It sounds like I didn’t like the story, but I really was ultimately satisfied. It took some time to get used to Ash’s voice and settle in at first but once the story got going I liked the choices Kagawa made.
Ash is on a quest that takes him to the end of the world to complete a task that no other fae has accomplished before. If he’s successful he will be that much closer to being with his true love Meghan. He has some help on his journey from Robin Goodfellow aka Puck, and Grimalkin, that sly cat, along with some other surprise companions. If you like the Puck and Ash bromance let me say that you will not be disappointed in The Iron Knight. Ash’s trek is not easy and there are a lot of curveballs thrown at him that make you wonder whether he is on the right path after all. The journey is heart wrenching and unexpected and allows you to see what Ash is really made out of.
The audiobook, however, was a struggle to get through. As much as it pains me to say, I think narrator MacLeod Andrews was miscast for this book. I’m a huge fan of his narration of the book Will Grayson, Will Grayson; in fact it is one of my favorite audiobooks. Maybe it’s because I read the other books in the series and had my own idea of how the characters should sound that I ended up disappointed. I think I would have preferred if Andrews read the book straight rather than giving the characters distinct voices. His choices ended up being distracting, particularly for the voices of Ash, Puck and Grimalkin. The narrator for the other books in the series is Khristine Hvam, and she also makes a brief appearance in this audiobook. I really liked her voice for Meghan but I understand it would be weird for her to narrate this book as its Ash’s story. Though the audiobook didn’t work for me, if you like audiobooks listen to a sample and perhaps you’ll enjoy it more than I did.
One thing I really enjoyed is at the end of the audiobook there is an interview with author Julie Kagawa and audiobook narrator Khristine Hvam. I loved hearing Kagawa discuss her writing process, favorite characters, and inspirations for the books. Hvam asks great questions and it’s obvious she has great affection for the series. Hvam also talks about the process that goes into audiobook narration and I just found the whole conversation fascinating.
Though I had mixed feelings about the final Iron Fey book I’m so glad I read it through to the conclusion. I just love the characters and think the whole series is so fun and unique. I’m really looking forward to reading the first book of the new series The Lost Prince, featuring Meghan’s brother Ethan. Thanks Julie Kagawa for writing The Iron Knight – I don’t think my heart could stand it if the series ended with The Iron Queen!
Mailbox Monday #4
Mailbox Monday is a weekly event started by Marcia, and is now on tour with a different blog hosting each month. Martha of Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf is the host for the month of May.
It was a pretty light book week for me, so that gives me a chance to catch up on my reading.
This week I received:
Won:
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa – Thank you to Sarah from Miss Page-Turner’s City of Books. I’m a big fan of Kagawa’s Iron Fey books, and this vampire dystopian looks to be quite the departure, but I can’t wait to check it out.
eGalleys from NetGalley & Edelweiss:
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry -This is a July 31 release from Harlequin Teen. Looks like an intense romance, and I like that it has a dual narrative.
Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson – This is a March 2013 release from Alfred A. Knoph & there’s no cover art yet. Described as “A sweeping Gothic thriller based on the spine-chilling “Bluebeard” fairytale.” I like fairytale retellings & this one sounds intriguing.
Bought:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Audiobook read by Kate Rudd. I’ve already read (and loved) the book but couldn’t resist the Customer Favorites sale on Audible. The audiobook has gotten some great reviews and I think it’s worth a re-read anyway.
Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – Kindle edition. This series was recommended to me on Goodreads and it sounds pretty good – contemporary YA with a twist.
Hope you received some great books this week. Let me know in the comments!
In My Mailbox (23) week ending July 16
In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren & inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. It is a way to feature the books you purchased, traded, borrowed or received for review each week.
It’s Mega Sequels week in my mailbox and I received some exciting books!
This week I received:
Bought:
Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger
For Review:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Big thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers & Penguin)
E-books for Review:
NetGalley:
The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa
Beyond The Grave (Past Midnight #3) by Mara Purnhagen
Thanks Harlequin Teen!
I’ve been anxiously waiting to read many of these sequels for so long, but I’m trying to be patient and finish my current reads before diving in. Must try to resist!
Hope your mailboxes were great this week – what did you get? Happy reading!
Just a note that next week I’ll be at Comic-Con but will be back to share my mailbox the following week.
Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa
Book: Summer’s Crossing (The Iron Fey 3.5) by Julie Kagawa
Published by: Harlequin Teen, June 1 2011
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format/pages: Ebook novella, 47 pages
Date read: May 31 2011
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Puck and Ash are back in an all-new Iron Fey novella. This time the sunny Puck and the icy Ash are paired together on a rescue mission to the Summer Court. They need to work together to make this work, but can they set past grudges aside? In Summer’s Crossing, Puck gets his time to shine and share his side of the story.
I wanted to read this novella to revisit the Iron Fey world while waiting for October’s The Iron Knight. This novella bridges the gap between The Iron Queen and The Iron Knight and provides a fun adventure with two favorite characters. Will Puck get his revenge on Ash or is this the start of a new bromance?
I enjoyed this novella narrated by the comic relief of The Iron Fey. It is a treat to get a glimpse in Puck’s head. His merry prankster ways counter emo Ash so nicely. We get to see what Puck thinks about his relationships with Meghan and Ash as he works through his feelings. Puck has some witty sound bites that kept me laughing throughout the book. I also liked seeing Puck’s devious side as he cooks up a plan. That Puck is a complex fellow.
Overall this is a light and fun Iron Fey adventure. The writing is witty and provides some interesting insight into the character of Puck. Even the chapter titles are funny and perfectly set the tone. Summer’s Crossing is definitely worth a read while you are waiting for Ash’s story The Iron Knight to be released October 25.
Speaking of The Iron Knight, the cover was revealed today. Don’t you think it looks great?
For more information:
Harlequin Teen| Amazon | Juie Kagawa’s blog | Iron Fey on Facebook | Goodreads
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Book Title: The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: January 25 2011
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Paperback 384 pages
Format read: NetGalley ARC
Date read: January 6 2011
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
My thoughts:
The latest installment of the Iron Fey series kicks off right where we left off. Meghan and Ash have been banished from Nevernever and are headed for the mortal world. But the False King is still after Meghan and the war between the Summer, Winter, and Iron courts continues. The False King could destroy the entire faery world unless he is stopped. Meghan faces her biggest challenge yet in The Iron Queen.
I read all three addictive books in the Iron Fey series back to back and I think this is my favorite book of the series. It is a thrilling fantasy, with adventure and drama, colorful characters, and an epic romance all set in a magical world. Ms. Kagawa’s descriptive writing flows effortlessly and paints a vivid picture of the story. The humor that is sprinkled throughout the story makes it even more enjoyable.
The characters in this series are strong and compelling. The protagonist Meghan goes through many emotional trials and tribulations and comes out much stronger for it. She has grown quite a bit since The Iron King and has become a force to be reckoned with. It is satisfying to see her growth and to see her accept herself and face her challenges head on. Ash, the Winter prince, really shines in this book. I have been a fan of his character all along, but I was won over by his honesty and devotion to Meghan. Puck, the Summer prince, also shows some new sides to his character. He impresses me with his loyalty to Meghan and his humor. Grimalkin, the resourceful cat, is another favorite character. Ms. Kagawa does a great job of integrating new characters, and I found a few new favorites in this book.
Romance takes a little more of a focus in this book. Ash and Meghan have a little time between battles to get to know each other better, including playing board games! Ash has some swoon-worthy moments, and I root for them as a couple.
This book is fast paced and has several nail biting moments. The final scenes are emotionally charged, heart wrenching, and intense. I was satisfied with the ending, but am also relieved there will be another book in this series.
I highly recommend this engaging series to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy books. You won’t be disappointed! The next book in the series will be Ash’s story: The Iron Knight.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for the opportunity to read the digital galley.
For more information:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Cover of The Iron Daughter (Harlequin Teen)
Book Title: The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Original publication date: August 1 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 359 pages
Format read: NetGalley ARC
Date read: December 29 2010
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
My thoughts:
This is a great series and one of the few where the sequel actually improves on the first book. The second book in the Iron Fey series is action packed and without a dull moment. It was easier to become immersed in the story in the second book and the story is well balanced with just the right amount of action and romance.
The short summary below contains some light spoilers for the first two Iron Fey books:
The Iron Daughter picks off where The Iron King & the novella Winter’s Passage left off. Meghan and Ash are heading to the Winter Court as per Meghan’s contract with Ash. They had become closer on the journey to the court, but upon arrival Ash turns cold on Meghan again. Meghan is being held captive and without her powers to save her. When the scepter of the seasons gets stolen, Queen Mab holds the Summer Court responsible. It is up to Meghan to find the scepter and return it to Queen Mab before it gets into the wrong hands and before a war begins between the two courts.
Some favorite characters return in this book including Puck, Ash, and the cat that always shows up at just the right time Grimalkin. One of my other surprising favorite characters is one we were introduced to in the first book but who plays a more prominent role in this book. When you read the book I’m sure you will know who I’m referring to. The new characters such as the faerie Leanansidhe blended in seamlessly into the story.
Meghan grows and matures in this story and rises to the challenges facing her. I really want to learn more about her powers.
For those wanting more romance in The Iron King I think you will be pleased with The Iron Daughter. With the return of Puck, the romance is amped up and the love triangle is back in full force. Meghan has a tough decision to make between Ash and Puck.
This series is gracefully written and blends mythology, action and romance flawlessly. I’m hooked and eager to read the conclusion of the series with The Iron Queen, due out January 25 2011.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for providing the ARC for review.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Cover of The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)
Book Title: The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Original publication date: February 1 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 363 pages
Format read: Own copy
Date read: December 26 2010
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Summary from the back cover:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.
My thoughts:
I’ve owned this book for many months now and I’m kicking myself that it has sat on my shelf for so long. My daughter picked it up over the holiday break and devoured the entire series in a matter of days and told me I had to read it. I have to say this book is worth the hype and is definitely one of the better series about faeries.
Meghan Chase has always felt like the odd girl out at school and home. She has one close friend, Robbie, who calls her princess. Her mother has a new husband and young son after Meghan’s father mysteriously disappeared. When strange things start happening on her sixteenth birthday she has to go on a quest to the faery land of Nevernever. Luckily she has her friend Robbie, who is actually a fae known as Puck, to escort her on her journey. This is really where the book took off for me, as Puck and Meghan leave the human world.
The protagonist Meghan is an average girl, and it’s easy to relate to her. She is somewhat feisty and brave and deals with the task at hand without too much self pity. She is facing some tough realities and challenges with courage and resourcefulness.
Meghan has Puck as her guide in the faery realm, and the Cheshire cat, Grimalkin. Some of the other characters making an appearance will be familiar to faery enthusiasts and those familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream such as King Oberon and Queen Titania. The characters overall are well drawn and come alive in the story.
The writing flows very well, and the story is well paced. The world building and descriptions are vivid and very detailed and it is easy to visualize Nevernever. The story is action packed, and it can be violent at times. The fey politics, and the Summer, Winter and Iron courts were really fascinating to me.
In addition to the faery adventures and politics, there is also a love story, or actually a love triangle. Puck is Meghan’s good friend and protector and knows her better than anyone and so is a natural fit for Meghan. But Meghan is drawn to bad boy Ash, the Winter prince. Ash is aloof and mysterious, and an enemy of Puck, but he and Meghan are pulled to each other. Both Puck and Ash seem to be fine choices for Meghan, and I wonder how the love triangle will play out. The romance aspect balances very well with the action and mythology of the story.
The Iron King is recommended for fans of young adult fantasy, faery fans, or fans of love triangles. The Iron King is one of my favorites of the year and I’ve already started the sequel The Iron Daughter, which I like even better.
After reading The Iron King, check out the novella Winter’s Passage. It adds more details to the story including some good Ash and Meghan scenes and segues nicely into The Iron Daughter.
For more information:
Amazon / Goodreads / Authors blog
