The Iron King by Julie Kagawa Review

Pages: 363
Publisher: Harelquin Teen
Released: 2010


Plot: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny-one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared when she was six. She has never quite fitted in at school...or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar and her little brother is taken, Meghan senses that everything she knows is about to change.
She could never have guessed the truth. Meghan is the daughter of a faery King and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will have to choose between a normal life and her magical destiny- and between her best friend and a darkly dangerous prince.
Its time for Meghan to enter the faery world...

Good Points: I don't know why but I am pleasantly surprised with this book. For some reason I've been putting off reading them for a while now (I think it might have been down to the fairytale-ish covers that put me off a little). But damn was I wrong. Well okay a little bit, the books do include fey, but they are NOT what I expected. They're not all sweet and cute but instead pretty damn terrifying.
 The book is filled with action and weird creepy creatures that are always lurking within the Nevernever; a place which is by far one of the coolest worlds I have ever read, and the characters are all in their own way likeable.
Not only is the main protagonist to the story determined but she also stands by what she says and as you learn throughout reading the book this is a big must as any help or gift that she is given is tainted with a deal. I think this was one of the main traits that I loved about Meghan's character and although she wasn't my favourite of the bunch she was by no means the books least notable character.
I thought the world-building was completed extremely well, revealing little bits of information every now and then in between the non-stop action. I especially liked the small detail about the fey only existing if they were remembered and the introduction of 'Puck' as one of the main characters.
Although it seems that there will be some tension romantically between Meghan, Ash and Puck in the future of the series,I think Kagawa should be noted for not introducing this heavily in the first book and instead focusing more on the history of  Prince Ash and Puck. I'm not 100% a fan of love triangles but I think because the fist book to the series has focused on building a history and you're relationship towards the characters first, I think I'll be more open to the idea of this supporting story line in the future.

Bad Points: Okay I have to admit I'm all for action in a book to add pace but I kind of think the author went a little O.T.T here. BUT and this is a big but now, I do think that it did make the story a lot more exciting and drew you into the whole adventure genre that the book has going for it. Maybe its just me but I would have liked a little moment somewhere in there to just stop and take everything in.
Also Meghan does seem to fall helplessly into Ash's arms quite a lot but hey what can you do, he is a prince.

To Sum Up... This book is really good and if you're like me and was too quick to judge it, then slap you're self on the wrist and Go Straight Down To The Book Shop And Buy It!
Honestly I think I need to eat my own words up after snuffing this book as some princess-disney-fairy story because its not. Its got great characters, a great plot and a world that will have you tearing down book shops to find its sequel.
Basically I loved it, so go read it :

By the way this is not the first Julie Kagawa book that I have reviewed. I did pick up an Arc copy of The Lost Prince which the review can be seen by clicking on its title.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a comment on your thoughts on The Iron King!