Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa + Giveaway


Book Description via Goodreads:

361 pages, Paperback
October 25, 2011, Harlequin Teen

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Source: Netgalley & Gifted (Thanks, Mom!)

Note:

I’ve been postponing reading The Iron Knight for as long as I could. I got the ebook in Netgalley and I downloaded it right away but I realized that I couldn’t read it at that time. I had just finished The Iron Queen and I wasn’t ready to end the series. Then I tried reading it, I got to less than page 200 before I stopped because again, I didn’t want it to end. And then early this week, I walked in the bookstore, went to the YA section and saw a copy of The Iron Knight. I held on to it and never let go.

My Thoughts:

Ash was always an interesting character for me. Aside from Puck and Meghan, he’s my favorite. I like how his character was a complex ‘badboy’ with a twist – he was an Unseelie Prince. Ash was so many things: determined, fearless, icy to the core but at the same time held a soft spot for Ariella, his former love and Meghan, his queen. From The Iron King, I witnessed how he changed because of Meghan. He left his icy shell, letting himself out into the open, honest and vulnerable. But in The Iron Knight, I met the totality of Ash. He was Winter Prince, vulnerable Ash, exile Ash, and determined Knight. The most important question in this novel was that, who is Ash? Who does he want to be?

With his oath to Meghan, promising he would find a way to come back, he went on a mini-journey to find Grimalkin the cat. Considering that the said cat was always disappearing, it was not an easy task to accomplish. He was accompanied by Robin Goodfellow, who, as always, injected as much humor into this installation as he could. They bickered, threatened each other and fought one another. Through all of this, the tension between them intensified as Ash’s oath to Ariella – to avenge her by killing Puck – weighed on the Unseelie Prince’s shoulders. The friendship and enemy-ship of these two fey guys were an interesting part of the novel.
In an attempt to gain a human soul, Ash, Puck and Grimalkin ventured to a Seer, who knew the way to the End of the World, where Ash could fulfill his oath. It was an unforgettable adventure. I traveled with them, growing weak, eager and anxious as they got one step closer to their destination. The Journey itself was full of surprises. The River of Dreams was one of my favorite parts of the path. It was filled with the debris of human imagination. Imagine a river and now imagine dumping random things in it: books, apples, coffins, dragons and other mythical creatures. I encountered several new, extremely bizarre characters that chilled me and disturbed me.

The Iron Knight stood out because this novel, no matter how fey and magical it was, had a human touch. When I say human touch, I mean that it was close to how a human would narrate. Swirling emotions, dreams, doubts, thoughts, worrying about the future more than necessary, pain, loss, grief, regret and conscience. Throw all of these in with magic, danger, high possibility of death, drama, long distance, no talk relationship and you get an amazing result. Through old memories, dreams and hopes, I got to learn more about Ash than in the first three books combined.

The ending of the Iron Fey Series is phenomenal. I was really happy when I found out that there would be a book for Ash (because I’m Team Ash.) I wasn’t disappointed. I loved every word of The Iron Knight. To everyone who hasn’t read the series yet, this is the perfect time to start it. I highly, insistently, passionately recommend this to everyone who loves fantasy, romance and adventure!

Rating:

*CLOSED* Giveaway: The Iron King/ The Iron Daughter/ The Iron Queen/ The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa *CLOSED*


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And now, because I LOVE The Iron Fey Series...and because I've reached 844 followers (which is SO awesome - thank you for the support!), I will be giving away a book from The Iron Fey Series that YOU haven't read yet. One or maybe two lucky winners will win! If you haven't started the series, this is the perfect chance to get your hands on The Iron King. If you've read The Iron King and haven't gotten a copy of the next installment, you can get The Iron Daughter or The Iron Queen. Or if you're Team Ash and you want to finish the series...you can win The Iron Knight.

Rules:
Must be a follower (since, of course, this is a Thank You Giveaway for my followers)
Open internationally! Ends on December 15!
Leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.
Tell me which book of The Iron Fey Series you want to win.

Extra entries (not required):
+2 spread the word: twitter, goodreads, wherever (please leave link)
+2 sidebar link

That's it! Come back on December 15, 2011 to see if you won!



48 comments:

  1. Wow, Precious. Damn you, Precious LOL. My TBR has been growing dangerously huge, so I haven't had the chance to read The Iron Daughter yet, but your review for this has my holding myself back from diving in already so I can catch up!!

    Wow, this sounds like such an amazing end to the series. I'm so intrigued to see these sides of Ash. And the River of Dreams scene you mention sounds fascinating!!

    Brilliant review, I cannot wait to fall in love with these books! <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oooh I'd love to win Iron Knight. Thanks for the chance to win!

    tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Dani_Nguyen/status/136457231863521280

    daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE this series! it is so awesome and different with great characters written well. i would love to win The Iron Daughter!
    gfc follower: kristina shields

    spicedice45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so incredible!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!! Im TEAM ASH!! YAYYYY! so i would like The Iron Knight pretty pleaseeee! :)
    +2 https://twitter.com/#!/Gisselle_Alv/status/136547896970575874

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you very much for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.

    I Follow via GFC - buddyt

    If I win I would Like The Iron King.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Follow you on GFC.
    I'm reading The Iron King, so I'd like to win The Iron Daughter. It's a great book! Thank you!

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/sweepstakelover/status/136577168158359552

    annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for the giveaway!

    I would like to win The Iron Knight

    GFC - Sniffly Kitty

    snifflykitty@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have not read any of this series so i guess i would pick the first one to start.

    pixiepuff2006@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awesome :)

    I'd love to have the Iron Knight on my bookshelf. Izzo purrrrdyyy.

    chubby_kendi(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't started this series yet because I want to have all four of the books on hand so I can read them all together at once. I hate not being able to finish a series, especially if I know that the other books are already released. Please count me in to win The Iron Knight, thank you!

    GFC follower Tiffany Drew
    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd like to win the Iron Daughter. Thanks so much for the chance :)

    GFC follower izlight
    mizzykhayla(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. HOW DID I MISS THIS GIVEAWAY?! No lie, I honestly did not see this. Yeah, this does not speak well for my sanity :P Congrats on your followers, Precious!! YAY! They're all so well deserved <3

    I'm a follower! Obviously :)
    +2 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/peacelovevegan/status/137140101603008513
    +2 Sidebar: http://eleusinianmysteriesofreading.blogspot.com

    I'd love to win The Iron Queen!

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    Brodie
    hanging.by.a.moment_@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'd like to win the Iron Daughter. Congrats on all the followers you have!!

    madisonlouisesbooks@hotmail.com

    -maddie

    ReplyDelete
  14. I loved this series! I need all the books. I guess that means I should start with the 1st one! Thanks for the review & giveaway.
    taffy.Lovell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my! I'd love to win The Iron King.. TQ
    follower
    thebookish96(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
    GFC: Jeanne
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/JanaRathouska/status/137541434084573184
    sidebar link: www.dreaming.over.cz
    Rathouska(dot)jana(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. And I thought I'm the only one who haven't read this series yet xD

    Aww. I feel you about not being ready on ending a series especially if you've got emotionally attached to the characters. You're dreading that day yet you feel excited at the same time. It's crazy!

    Oh, and thanks for the giveaway, Precious! I'm going to try my luck on this one and get The Iron King.


    girlaboutbooks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win The Iron Daughter please!

    GFC follower.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks a bunch!

    GFC- ashley

    I would love The Iron King!!

    ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I actually have been thinking of getting into this series since so many people love it. I just keep getting distracted by other books! :) I planned on having this books on my wishlist for the holidays.
    Really great giveaway! :)

    Theevangelinelily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I didn't have a chance to read this series yet so I would love to win the first book. Thanks.

    GFC : Malvina Beatrice
    Tweet link : https://twitter.com/#!/darkenf/status/138590944730681344

    darkenf(at)rocketmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for the giveaway !
    i have just read the Iron King so i would love to win to win the iron daughter.

    GFC follower: alexsharrock

    twitter link (+2) http://twitter.com/#!/alexsarahlouise/status/138643733552955393

    email: alexsharrock at hotmail dot co dot ul

    ReplyDelete
  23. i meant alexsharrock at hotmail dot co dot uk ! xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the giveaway! hope I'll win.. teehee.

    email: gchua42@gmail.com

    I would like to have the copy of Iron Knight

    +2 tweeted it: https://twitter.com/#!/YAbookworm/status/138949525715955712

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is great.

    GFC ivanbookworm

    I would like to have the first book, the Iron King.
    ivanbookworm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I would like the first book so I can start reading the series.
    juliecookies(at)gmail.com
    GFC Julie S.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I would love the Iron King
    jackleen@ncf.ca

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well, I have read the first one, and I would love to get ahold of the second one, but now Im torn because I dont have the first one XD.
    So, I guess the first one?
    gothiclove95(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'd love to win The Iron Knight!

    +2 spread the word: twitter
    https://twitter.com/#!/aikchien/status/139931068127125504

    +2 sidebar link
    http://the-bookaholics.blogspot.com

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd like the first one =)

    am a follower via GFC

    FairyWhispers

    tweeted-https://twitter.com/#!/FWhispers/status/140283173438373888

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is such a fabulous giveaway. Thank you so much! If I'm lucky enough to win, I would love to receive The Iron Queen.

    laura.newcombe(at)hotmail(dot)com

    +2 Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/lauraktwriting/status/140957450860896256

    Thanks again,
    Laura @ A Work of Fiction

    ReplyDelete
  33. OH my! I would love to win The Iron King. Thanks for this Fab Giveaway!

    GFC Follower: Clarissa (Bookadicea)

    clarissa(dot)bulatao(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC - Jessica Shover

    curledupwithbooks@gmail.com

    I'd love to win iron knight!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd love to win the Iron Daughter!! I own the Iron King, so it'd be awesome if I could have the next book :)
    Thanks so much for this!

    shiirleyyx@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ooh, thank you for this giveaway! I've read all of the Iron Fey books, but I only own the first, so I'd love to win The Iron Daughter!

    handley.skye(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, what a generous giveaway! =D
    I've only read The Iron King so far and have been dying to read the rest of the series - but since they aren't published in my home country I haven't had the chance yet. So - would love to win The Iron Daughter ;)

    yavampire(at)hotmail.com
    (follow you on GFC as YA Vampire Books)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oooh I didn't realize The Iron Knight was released already. I would love a copy of this book, I enjoyed the earlier ones a lot.

    I tweeted about this.
    https://twitter.com/#!/perogies_gyoza/status/142801110980243459

    perogies.gyoza at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I really enjoy reading this series, and it would be great if I could have a copy of The Iron Knight! Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC follower name: Jen
    email: alabaster.skies@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I love that we can pick which book in the series we'd like. I'm hoping for The Iron Daughter!

    GFC Follower: LHartness

    Tweet:

    http://twitter.com/#!/lhartness/status/144803172614017024

    Sidebar: http://CalicoCritic.blogspot.com


    Thanks!

    Laura Hartness
    CalicoCritic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great review!
    I also really want/don't want to finish this series! I just don't want it to be over...I have been purposefully avoiding Iron Knight since it was released, even though I am Team Ash ;) so I would love to read it!
    Email: slecea@gmail.com
    I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/ari_lark/status/145656184823742465

    ReplyDelete
  42. I haven't started the series yet (kept planning to but :/) so I would really love to have a copy of The Iron King!
    GFC name: Midnight Violet
    Email: midnightmedley@gmail.com
    Tweet link: https://twitter.com/#!/midnightmedley/status/145812139058266112

    Thanks for this giveaway~ ^^

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you very much for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.

    I Follow via GFC ; rogier

    If I win I would Like The Iron King.

    https://twitter.com/#!/rocapri/status/145986437840506880

    rogier

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thanks for the giveaway! :) I'd love to win The Iron King. :)

    GFC follower: mimz
    + 2 sidebar: http://mokolad.blogspot.com

    xjustakidx(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thankyou so much for this giveaway!!! I would like to win the first book of the saga, The iron king

    Thankyou again!

    Elena Feltri
    arya.saphira@rocketmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you so much for the giveaway! I would like to win the Iron Knight!

    GFC Unabridged Bookshelf
    unabridgedbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. The second book. I loved the first one. Thanks!
    - Jessica @ Book Sake booksake(at)yahoo(dot)com

    GFC: Book Sake
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/booksake/status/147084571345821696

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am Team Ash, so I'd love to win The Iron Knight because it's from Ash's perspective. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC: Sarah (Escaping Through Books)
    escapingthroughbooks (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete