Releasing Today: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey #4)

From Goodreads: My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

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And now for something completely different.  Kagawa does a phenomenal job shifting gears in this fourth, and final, book in the Iron Fey series, telling the story from Ash’s point of view as he struggles to come to terms with what has happened to Meghan.  By the completion of this novel, Ash had completely endeared himself to me (about time, right?) and I must say that I think this last book is the best of them all. 

Ash’s quest is an honorable one, and the many dangers he faces, along with Puck and some other friends we’ve met along the way in the series, are substantial and breathtaking.  At times I was literally scared for the characters, a feeling I haven’t known throughout the series up until this point, and I really, really enjoyed this novel.

Finally, we have answers.  What happened between Ash and Ariella?  How did they meet, fall in love, and befriend Puck?  Why is Ash always so cold to everyone?  All the questions we’ve had throughout the series, including many more, are finally answered in detail as all of Ash’s sins and mistakes are brought to the forefront.  There is, in fact, a very interesting twist in this novel that I never saw coming, and though I was a little aghast when it first hit, it makes perfect sense, and it made the novel that much more interesting.  Yes, at times I really hated Ash, especially as his past is brought to the forefront and we learn so much about him, but his ultimate quest for love and redemption washed it all away for me, and it ends exactly how it should, in my opinion.  Yes, I’ve been a Puck fan all the way up until this point, and I do love Puck, but I finally see why Ash and Meghan belong together, and I am at peace with the ending here, and so is Puck, Meghan, and Ash, our key players.  That, I believe, is the most important thing.

This is an all around beautiful book, and I highly recommend it, however, you really must read the in-between novella’s to understand everything that is happening in this novel, as it frequently references those stories and the characters within.  So, I highly recommend you pick up Winter’s Passage (book #1.5) and Summer’s Crossing (book #3.5) and read them prior to reading this final installment to a wonderful sage.  Four and a half stars.

Harlequin has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release today. 

 

{Review} Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey #3.5)

From Goodreads: A Midsummer’s Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon’s right hand, bane of many a faery queen’s existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl’s death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone’s come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck’s help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

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This is a must read for all those reading the Iron Fey series.  This short novella not only adds to the series as a whole, but also extends the story, picking up right where The Iron Queen left off (and boy, that book’s ending made me mad), connecting Ash and Puck once more as they go off on a journey to find Grimalkin, for reason’s Ash is none too forthcoming about.  However, before they can get too far, Ash runs into an old acquaintance who calls in a favor… a practically impossible favor.

I enjoyed this novella.  I actually started to dislike Puck a little as I read, which was a first, and Ash began to move more into my good graces… so this was a nice change.  I will say that this novella kept my rapt attention with its awesome storyline, especially as it’s a break from Meghan’s story.  I really enjoyed every aspect of Summer’s Crossing, aside for Puck being a tool for a bit… but I was happy in the end, and completely ready for the next, and final, book in the series, The Iron Knight.  Four stars.