Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince
(The Iron Fey, Call of the Forgotten)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: October 30th, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Thank you NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for the review copy!

Genre: Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My Thoughts: To say I was excited to be approved for The Lost Prince via NetGalley would be an understatement. I was squeeing and jumping in my seat, earning me strange looks from my toddler (don't judge me!). Needless to say, I wasn't at all disappointed in the least. I really don't think that Julie Kagawa can write anything that I won't like. I'm absolutely in love with her Fey series and the Blood of Eden series. The only problem, I have to wait for the new books to come out. I'm glad that I've already ordered a copy of this one, it will look great beside the rest of her books on my shelf. I don't think That I had ever even read a Faery book before these ones. It's going to be terrible, I'm going to be judging everything against these ones. Also, did you see that cover?? *drool*

The Lost Prince has Ethan Chase (You know, Meghan's kid brother who the Fey stole in the first book) as the protagonist. Ethan hates everything Fey, for good reason. They stole him AND Meghan prefers their company over her family's. He resents Meghan for abandoning him, so the last thing he wants is to go asking for her help when his new "friend" Todd, a half phouka, who was kidnapped by a new type of fey he's never seen before. A type of fey that is draining the exiles and half bloods of their glamour. So Ethan once again finds himself in the Nevernever, this time dragging a friend, Kenzie, with him. We get to meet some of our favourite characters again, including a certain snarky cat and trickster. So Ethan has to step up to save a world he despises, but will he do it. The story is fairly fast paced and will keep you wanting more.

I just adore Julie Kagawa's writing. I mean, how did it take me so long to pick up one of her books? They are amazing and she's going to be one of those authors for me that I'll read anything by her, I just know it. Her writing just pulls me in and keeps me there until I finish the book. This book is no different. Once I started it, I had to finish it. Unfortunately, things like sleeping, eating and work got in my way (although I love my job as a mommy!). If you're going to read this one, make sure you have the time to sit and read it, or else you're going to be thinking about it none stop. If you haven't checked out Julie Kagawa's writing yet, what are you waiting for?

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: February 1st, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Romance

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Synopsis:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Thoughts: After finished The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, I was really craving some more of her writing. I had this one sitting on my shelf waiting for me so it was a no-brainer what my next read would be. And now after reading this book, I have added Julie to my list of must-read authors. I gotta get more of her books and keep my eyes out for new ones.

There is no boring introduction, or slow start in this book. We start off right away getting emotionally punched in the gut by events that happened to the main character Meghan. And may I just say, doesn't she just have the coolest, best, name ever?! Ha, I was seriously excited when I seen we shared the same name. I see lots of Meghan's, but usually they don't have the "h".  Anyway, moving on. I was immediately drawn to Meghan. Right away I just wanted to be her friend, to comfort her, and to hug her. She has a sad family history, with the loss of her father at a young age. When her mom re-marries, the new guy is nice enough. But it seems like he forgets Meghan even exists half the time. If being invisible at home isn't enough, at school she is rejected and picked on brutally. Luckily, she isn't completely alone. She has a best friend named Robbie who I also liked right away. He is so jovial, optimistic, funny, and very supportive and kind to Meghan.  He also carries this mysterious quality. I could tell there was more we didn't know about him and I couldn't wait to find out what it was.

It wasn't long until all the fun began, and we found out just what Robbie was hiding from Meghan. From then on it's a non-stop roller-coaster of fairy tale adventure and we're riding front seat right along side Meghan. The story was written in such a way that it really felt like you were right there experiencing everything with her, it was incredibly exciting and scary at times to say the least. Mostly the latter. Due to a certain event, Meghan must travel into the faery world. Known as Nevernever. What a perfect name eh? The Nevernever is a wonderfully beautiful and terrifying place. Part of me would die to go there, but at the same time I probably would die if I did. So I guess I'm content to just read about it for now. During the fantastical adventure we came across so many beings; Ogres, Trolls, Giant Hounds, Talking Cats, Goblins, Sirens, Elves, Faerys, Phoukas, and even more! It was like so many awesome fantasy stories combined, making the ultimate Faery story to rival them all. There was definite obvious inspiration from Shakespeare. Some of the stories it reminded me of were Narnia, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and if you've ever seen the movie Labrynthe  with David Bowie in it, it reminded me a lot of that as well. While I did find likenesses from these other awesome stories, this story was still unique and sits in a league of it's own.

The other two characters I loved were Grimalkin and Ash. Grimalkin is  a cat, and the definition of cats at their finest. He is proud, reserved, clever, and really only speaks when he sees the need to input his two cents. Yeah, of course he talks! He's the most epic cat companion anyone could ask for, and Meghan is lucky enough to cross paths with him inside Nevernever. Although his motives and goals are never really clear, he tags along and helps because he doesn't want to miss out on all the adventure and action. If I could be any one in the story, I would be Grimalkin. Then there's Ash, he's the prince of a rival Fey group. He is incredibly gorgeous, strong, smart, and loyal. Unfortunately he's also severely deadly and Meghan is on his list of enemies. Of course this complicates things the love story comes into play, since Ash is the one Meghan has feelings for, oh dear. Despite how complicated that relationship is and could be, I am still rooting for them! I'm a little of a hopeless romantic, and their story has so much romantic potential!

Again, I'm leaving you hanging with story line. I just really don't like to give anything away. But this story covered so many emotions. I laughed out loud at parts, I was on the verge of tears in others. Sometimes I was holding my breath with fear, and some parts even made me feel a bit queasy. There are some gory parts, but I do enjoy a little bit of gore in my stories! I definitely recommend this book! I am kicking myself so hard now for not buying the rest of the series at the same time. I know what my next purchase will be when I make it to the book store next! I'm so glad I came across Julie's books, I'm eager to read more of her work and I wish I had discovered her sooner! Great things have come form her and I'm sure we can expect even more greatness in the future!

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight
(The Iron Fey #4)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: October 26th, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

"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..."

To cold 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 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. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts: Love, love, love, LOVE!!!!!!! Hey, did I say yet how much I freaking LOVED The Iron Knight. Excuse me while I gush some more.. I love Julie Kagawa and her amazing imagination. I love Ash! I love Grimalkin! I even love Puck, just not as much as Ash! *squeeee* Ok. I'll stop now.

I seriously cannot believe that I waited so long to read this book after finishing The Iron Queen. I'm just going to blame my total inability to actually read synopsis' before the book. Seriously, had I known this was in Ash's point of view?! I probably would have read it long ago!

So as I said, The Iron Knight is from Ash's point of view and I seriously love him as a protagonist! He made a vow to Meghan that he was going to find a way to be with her. Who better to ask for help finding a way than every one's favorite cat, Grimalkin, of course tracking him down isn't easy, even with Puck's "help". Ash has to give up his immortality and gain a soul to become mortal so that he can enter the Iron Kingdom. For that, he has to travel to the End of the World. With some unexpected allies (and one annoying friend) Ash heads out to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I can't help but love Ash. I'm 200% Team Ash and this book only made me love him more. How can I not love him? He is going to make the ultimate sacrifice to be with Meghan! He's going to travel to the End of the World to give up his immortality for love! He'll age while Meghan is immortal. That is a huge sacrifice for a faery. I have so much respect for him as a character! Plus he is totally swoon worthy. He should just come be with me as he is!

Once again, Julie Kagawa had me completely immersed in the world of Faery. Her imagination knows no bounds! I absolutely love her writing style. The saddest thing about this book? That it ended. I need more! I can't wait to get my hands on Iron's Prophecy and The Lost Prince. I'm so happy that these books are a part of my collection and that I've been able to share them with others. They are absolutely amazing and Julie is definitely in my top 10 authors! If you've yet to check her writing out, you have to! If Faeries are not your thing, then try The Immortal Rules, it's equally amazing! I strongly recommend The Iron Fey series though! You won't regret it! (I'm so going to get a grey cat to name Grimalkin).

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King
(The Iron Fey #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: February 1st, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Thoughts: I've heard a lot of great things about this series. Well, The Iron King definitely did not disappoint. I had a lot of fun reading this novel, even if I had a hard time getting into it (only because I was moving and didn't have much time to read). I'm finding it hard to say much about this book because I enjoyed it so much. Julie Kagawa has a way with words that seem to captivate the reader. If I had been able to read non stop, I would have. I was sucked into the story and was able to sympathsize with Meghan. She really had a tough time in school and fitting in, something I struggled with for a long while.

I loved Meghan's character, not only because she has an awesome name ;), but she just cares about others so much. She doesn't really make any decisions that benefit her, she is always thinking about the welfare of others before herself. Very selfless. She is also pretty kick butt when she needs to be and is a strong character, no matter what happened to her, she never really gave up.

There is a bit of romance in this book, not much really though. I've seen people say there is a love triangle but I'm not sure about that, at least from this book. She has strong feelings for Ash, and really seems to like him. With Puck it seems to be more like friendship for her. Yes, he has feelings for her romantically, but she doesn't return those feelings, yet. Regardless, it should be fun to see how it all unfolds in the rest of the series. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

As for my favorite character, Grimalkin wins that hands, or should I say paws, down. He is just so witty and cunning. There is just something about that talking cat that makes me love him.

I now know why everyone has been talking about this series and why they are so excited for Julie's upcoming release The Immortal Rules. I would love to be able to jump into the next novel in this series right away, since I must know what happens next and if Puck is ok! But, unfortunately, I am behind on some other reading that I'll have to get working on. If you're like me, and have been pushing this series off to the side, you should stop putting it off and give it a read! I would definitely recommend this to fantasy and fae lovers. This is a must read for YA literature.