Such a good book. I really loved the story. It is one of the few stories that needs to be series. The story had a start, middle and end. I loved the man character and also the development of her maybe love interests in future books. I loved how the series used midsummer nights dream as a source. I also have never seen a premise like this before. It was so unique premise that I have never seen before! I loved how megan got involved in the story and want to get my hands on the next one soon! ( )

Such a good book. I really loved the story. It is one of the few stories that needs to be series. The story had a start, middle and end. I loved the man character and also the development of her maybe love interests in future books. I loved how the series used midsummer nights dream as a source. I also have never seen a premise like this before. It was so unique premise that I have never seen before! I loved how megan got involved in the story and want to get my hands on the next one soon! ( )

Strictly speaking the concept for The Iron King is not a new one in recent young adult (or even mainstream) fiction. Previously oblivious teen girl finds out that she's related, in some way, to the Fey Courts and her life plummets into danger, suspense and a shocking amount of violence. The cast of Fey characters usually involve the usual suspects--Puck, Oberon, Titania, Mab--as well as the usual Fey creatures. In this The Iron King does not surprise.

Instead Kagawa gives us a new type of Fey. Its made clear, that like the traditional Fey this new 'Iron Fey' also draws power from and was created by human imagination and belief. The exact science, if you can really call it that, of the Iron Fey I'll leave to everybody to read about, but there you have it. The Fey are, with few (if any) exceptions extremely manipulative and cutthroat. They don't believe in the literal meaning of a promise--several times Meghan is cautioned to reconsider her wording because the Fey created the notion of loopholes (which leads me to believe they're all lawyers or insurance people in the real world). Sometimes she uses this to her advantage, but more often she's at the wrong end of the word choice and suffers for it.

I was rather pleased to see the inclusion of Grimalkin, or Cait Sith, in the series. Kind of like the Cheshire Cat, Cait Sith are like cats--they go where they want, when they want and do things because they interest them. Grim is really no exception, though several times he makes a bargain that benefits Meghan (or her quest) with only a vague 'I'll get mine back in the future' sort of response. I don't think you can say he's Meghan's friend, or even ally quite frankly. Temporary companion perhaps.

Ash, who runs all over the spectrum between good and bad, was definitely intriguing and showed potential, though his motivations are tainted by his association with Queen Mab. His and Meghan's relationship later in the series takes a very interesting turn, but the end seems to put a shadow of doubt over it. As far as Oberon and Titania and Mab go their really no different then most society sorts--petty, ambitious and willing to tear hair out over the smallest slight. Though in their case they are less likely to tear out each other's hair then they are to turn the other into some sort of rodent.

My favorite character Puck is in fine form. I guessed who he was pretty quickly, but had a lot of fun seeing how he made menace without flashing who he is. I was definitely digging Kagawa's depiction of the mischievous prankster and appreciated that she also matured him a little.

As the start of a series I think this is a wonderful debut. It resolves only a hand full of questions, but also poses intriguing ones. The second book The Iron Daughter has a publishing date of August 2010--it can't come quickly enough! ( )

This book is full of the kind of typical YA fantasy issues I didn't care too much about when I was a YA myself so I can understand its popularity but it's a very flawed book nonetheless.
It goes through all the classic YA fantasy story pitstops like clockwork but it's fairly well disguised at least in the first third.

My first issue was the complete lack of agency of the MC. She basically makes a single meaningful decision within the first 19 chapters I've read which is at the very beginning of the book and follows immediately after the inciting incident. After that, she is entirely steered by necessity and other characters. It all makes sense in context but I still prefer stories where the MC forges the plot and not those where the entire plot happens to the MC.

I think all the major plot beats are very predictable but I haven't finished the book so I can not say for sure about everything.

Another detail that frustrated me quite a lot was the whole Fae bargain thing. It's a completely inconsistent mess. Sometimes you only have to stick to the letter of a bargain. At other times the intent is what decides. Sometimes you have to be very explicit about bargains but at other times a careless sentence can suddenly become a promise or an admission of debt. The rules are whatever is currently needed to steer the MC along the plot-rails.

While there is always something going on at any one time, the overall plot nonetheless moves like molasses which ultimately was why I gave up on reading. I felt like I was acquainted enough with all the relevant parties as well as the world and its rules. My curiosity for this world was sated so the only thing with potential entertainment value was the plot and I just didn't feel like the story was going anywhere interesting. ( )

The Iron King was a great novel by Julie Kagawa!

It follows the story of Meghan Chase who discovers she is a fairy! When she travels over into the Summer Realm and finds out she is the daughter of a King, everything changes for her. And when she falls in love with a fairy from the rivaling realm, chaos ensues.

This book was an interesting read, but it didn't keep me hooked at every turn. The writing style seemed more aimed at the younger half of Young Adult but the story definitely fits the Young Adult genre.

Overall, I really enjoyed the novel and it was an interesting plot, but it didn't have unexpected twists and turns to keep me really hooked. I'll definitely read the sequels because it's a great story!

Four out of five stars. ( )