Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Published: Feb 1st, 2010
Details: 363 pages, paperback
Source: Amazon.com
Series: Yes (Book #1 of the Iron Fey series)
Rating: 5 out 5
Summary (goodreads):
Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

OHMYGOSH! I totally get why everyone loves this series. Seriously. I don't even know where to begin this review!

Meghan Chase isn't the most popular kid in school, in fact they only mention her friend Robbie. She lives with her mom, her step dad and her half brother. Her step dad doesn't pay her much attention and hardly remembered it was her birthday. Her birthday day sucks, completely. And something strange happened to her younger brother. She suddenly realizes she doesn't know anything about her oldest friend Robbie and it seems that he know's what's going on and won't tell her. At least, not until her younger brother attacks her. What he tells her is unbelievable but she has no choice but to believe him and step into the Faery world to try and save her brother.

I know I told myself I wasn't going to re-summarize books anymore, but I didn't feel that the summary really told you anything about the story.

Where do I start? I thought it was ironic that her last name is "Chase" and through out the book, multiple different people were chasing her. I wonder if that was done on purpose. As soon as Meghan and Robbie stepped into Nevernever (the Fey world), I was swept away with Robbie... er Puck. Maybe it's because I have a thing for guys in hoodies. I loved how beautiful and how dangerous the world was, the chases were all so intense too! Grim is my absolute favorite character, probably because he reminds me of a more chatty Cheshire Cat and even though he won't admit it, I think he cares about Meg (aww). I wasn't a fan of her "dad" or anyone in his court really, everyone acted like they had sticks up their asses!

I'm sorry to say, I was not a fan of Ash either. Not even a little bit. He was so serious all the time! I loved that he could throw ice though, but that's about all that I liked about him. Well that and he stayed by Meg even if it killed him. He was so flip flop, I couldn't figure him out. 

And can I just say, I adored the pack rats? They were the cutest things ever! Can I have one? :)

So much happens in the 363 pages packed into this novel. This was one of those books that I had to take a few breaks from because it was getting so intense it was giving me anxiety lol. But at the same time I'd pick it up again and read more and more until I was done. I'm curious to know what will happen in Winter's Passage and The Iron Daughter. I loved the idea that they survived on peoples dreams and how the Iron King came into existence. 

Finishing the book left me curious... why isn't the main character ever part of the Winter Courts? Has anyone else noticed that?

In closing, if you haven't read The Iron King, you're definitely missing out!

Favorite Line:
"Redcaps," Grimalkin mused, wrinkling his nose. "You will want to stay away from them, human. Last time they came, a not-to-bright phouka challenged one to a rigged shell game and won. It did not go well."
"What happened?" I asked, wondering what a phouka was.
"They ate him."
- PG. 163


"Charming," Puck commented, gazing around in distaste. "I love the barren, dead feel they're gong for. Who's the gardener, I wonder? I'd love to get some tips." - PG. 211


"Oh, we're playing nice now?" Puck remained seated, looking anything but compliant. "Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?" - PG. 227