The Iron Knight (Early Review)
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Iron Fey #4
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.
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.
At the end of The Iron Queen, Megan Chase made the ultimate sacrifice for the nevernever by becoming the Iron Queen, meaning she would lose Ash forever, or so she thought. He swore a vow to find a way to do the impossible and return to her. Of course he couldn't set off on his quest alone as the ever annoying yet strangely loyal Puck insists on tagging along as a sidekick whether Ash want him there or not. Ash will be tested like he never was before in his very long existence, in order to prove his worth of a soul and his true love.
Ah, Puck and Ash. What are we going to do with those two? They were as thick as thieves (literally), then turned mortal enemies, and then into some sort of limbo between hate and acceptance. I really enjoyed getting to see the two of them working together again. Granted, tensions were very high, with every second spent together bringing them closer to disaster. However, in the end even though neither one would ever admit it, they make a very good team, and never should have been enemies. I think Ash's eyes were opened up to Puck's suffering and it helped calm some of his lingering rage. I don't think things can ever be as they were, as too much has changed, but perhaps they can start down a new path.
There is pretty major shakeup to the characters that would be huge spoiler to talk about. Suffice it to say that this event will completely change the game, and make Ash start to have doubts in his quest to become mortal. At first I was leery of the new development, but in the end I decided it was actually for the best. Some may disagree with me, on that, but it made Ash step a little off his track of single mindedness to open his eyes up to whether or not he was really doing what he wanted and needed the most. I just really liked how he was able to be entirely sure of his final decision once he finally made it. I'm sorry if that is too vague to understand, but as I said it would be too big of a spoiler. Hopefully things will be a little more clear once you read the book for yourselves.
Ah, Puck and Ash. What are we going to do with those two? They were as thick as thieves (literally), then turned mortal enemies, and then into some sort of limbo between hate and acceptance. I really enjoyed getting to see the two of them working together again. Granted, tensions were very high, with every second spent together bringing them closer to disaster. However, in the end even though neither one would ever admit it, they make a very good team, and never should have been enemies. I think Ash's eyes were opened up to Puck's suffering and it helped calm some of his lingering rage. I don't think things can ever be as they were, as too much has changed, but perhaps they can start down a new path.
There is pretty major shakeup to the characters that would be huge spoiler to talk about. Suffice it to say that this event will completely change the game, and make Ash start to have doubts in his quest to become mortal. At first I was leery of the new development, but in the end I decided it was actually for the best. Some may disagree with me, on that, but it made Ash step a little off his track of single mindedness to open his eyes up to whether or not he was really doing what he wanted and needed the most. I just really liked how he was able to be entirely sure of his final decision once he finally made it. I'm sorry if that is too vague to understand, but as I said it would be too big of a spoiler. Hopefully things will be a little more clear once you read the book for yourselves.
Julie Kagawa had originally intended for things to end after The Iron Queen with the ultimate sacrifice being final. However, her editor convinced her to not leave things that way, and I cannot be happier that the series continued on for this final installment. There were just too many things left unanswered. Luckily The Iron Knight ties up so many of those loose ends and the ending feels very satisfying. It may be a little less so to those that are on the opposite "team" than the final winner, but I think in the end both camps will feel things ended as they should. Full of danger, heartache, and plenty of sacrifice, The Iron Knight is sure to please fans and give them the closure they have been waiting for. A definite two thumbs up.
(Received copy from Netgalley)
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