Book Review: The Iron Queen


Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey
Book: 3
Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210183
ISBN13:  9780373210183
Rating:


I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.


This is my favorite book among the books in the series! I just love everything about it, especially the characters. I guess this was the turning point of Meghan's life because she will face a very important decision that will change the course of her life. 

THE MORTAL WORLD. 

Book Two ended with Meghan and Ash being exiled from the Faery World. Ash chose to be banished and was surprised when Meghan followed him. The two started their journey and their feet brought them to Meghan's home. Only to find out that there were creatures lurking around their house awaiting their arrival. They were ambushed by whom she thought were False King's minions only to find out that the pack was led by a Glitch, one of Machina's lieutenants who was along side Iron Horse when Meghan attacked the Iron World. Glitch's intention was only to hide her from the False King's minions. It turns out, Meghan's wish of returning to normal wasn't granted because her life just got complicated. So she got no choice but to say goodbye to her family, for real this time because she doesn't know if they'll return. 

THE SECRET PLACE 

Well, they didn't have any choice but to seek for a hiding place and Meghan can only think of one person that can help them, Leanansidhe. She had been contemplating on confronting her about his father but for her to do that she needs her memory back. So she visited the Oracle and made a deal with her. Even though her memory about her father was erased, she can still feel her connection with her. And I really loved how she had made a deal good deal with Leanansidhe and gotten her father out. 

SWORD FIGHTING 

The Meghan I met in Book One is really different with the new Meghan. She was braver and more determined. She wanted to be able to defend herself from the enemies even though she has Puck and Ash with her. So she asked Ash to teach her the basic skills in sword fighting. But faeries doesn't only need the skills, they also use their glamour which is a problem to Meghan.

SUMMER IS NOT THE SAME AS IRON GLAMOUR 


Ever since she killed Machina, using her glamour, be it the summer or iron , makes her weak. She didn't know that Machina's power was transferred to her. So even if she wanted to or not, Machina will always be a part of herself. Though she has two glamour elements, she can't figure out how to use it without her hurting. Summer Glamour coincides with Iron Glamour so whenever she uses any of the two, the opposing element reacts negatively. 

WILL YOU BE MY KNIGHT? 


Meghan took up what Grimalkin suggested her and asked Ash to become her knight. This is an old tradition among the fey. A lady asks a warrior to become her knight, her chosen protector, for as long as they both draw breath. Only those with royal blood can enact this ritual, and the choosing of a champion is something only the lady can do. But it is the ultimate show of faith between the lady and the knight, for she trusts him above all others to keep her safe, knowing that he would lay down his life for her. The knight will still obey his queen and court, to the best of his ability, but his first and only duty is to his lady. But it can also be tragic because should the lady die, the knight will die, as well. 

I love Ash's character transformation in this book. He's so romantic and really sweet. I love how protective he is of Meghan. He can be soft and gentle when he wants to but because he is from Unseelie Court, he thinks it's given that he acted cool and unmoving. But Meghan knows him and I like how she can handle him. They're both stubborn and sometimes they're bantering is really amusing and I can't help but feel giddy especially if he seems exasperated with something she does.

“My name is Ashallyn'darkmyr Tallyn, third son of the Unseelie Court...Let it be known--from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on..." His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. "I am yours.”



THE RETURN TO THE FAERY WORLD 


Queen Mab and King Oberon don't have any choice but to send an emissary to deliver a message to Meghan. Meghan's bravery was really one of a kind, returning to the Faery World that had once exiled her. But she had no choice and she had come to love the place too. 

THE WAR 


Sensing that the force of Summer and Winter combined is still weak, she decided to join the war from the Iron Feys. Ash and Puck also fought behind her.

THE COSTUMES: When reading books like these, where there are battles to be fought. I anticipate their battle costumes. I'd been fascinated with the costumes in Hunger Games especially in Catching Fire. I was a little disappointed because their clothes here were not as great as I expected it to be. I wished the author had been more creative in their costumes. But I guess it was justified. They're just feys after all and they should represent their courts.(But I liked Meghan's costume).

SUMMER GLAMOUR+IRON GLAMOUR = POWER

The False King turned out to be Ferrum. He was the king before but Machina revolted against him. Meghan wandered if she made the right decision of killing Machina. Machina continued to appear in Meghan's dream and gave hints about how to use her glamours. When she woke up from the attack, Ferrum did on her, she was able to figure out how to use her glamours without hurting herself. She should use the glamours together and not separately. This brought down Ferrum's kingdom and in the process got her almost killed. 

When the war was finished and Meghan managed to destroy the false king, my heart was in shambles because Meghan's life was in danger. I really shed lots of tears in the last chapters of this book. Yeah, I knew, Ash and Meghan are given and they'll survive till the end, but I got carried away. Meghan is really a hero and a blessing to the Faery World.

IRON REALM

The book ended with Meghan being carried by Ash to the Iron Realm. She wanted to be close to where it all began. She knew that if she dies, Ash will also die. So she decided to lift his vow on her. It hurt but she did what she had to do. Gathering all the power left within her, she gave it one last push and formed her power into a massive, swirling ball and sent it deep into the roots of the giant oak. Meghan managed to salvage the Iron Realm and stopped the poison from spreading to the other courts. She had no other choice but to accept the throne of being the new Iron Queen.

INSIGHTS

How I wish Puck also gets his happy ever after. I know he deserves Meghan just as much as Ash deserve her but she had fallen for Ash. I really feel sorry for her. I admit that at the first book, I was really pro Puck. They're really suitable for each other. I love Puck's happy-go-lucky character. One thing I noticed is his ability to multiply himself during fights. This confuses the hell out of his attackers. I can't help but wonder if he was inspired by Naruto's character. :DD


Gremlin proved to be a very useful companion in their journey towards the Iron Realm. Thanks to him, they found a temporary solution to their fear of Iron. He seems to know everything. 

The whole IRON REALM. I think the author is not only talking about it in a fairy world term. I think it's somehow connected to what is really happening in the real world. We all know that the climate change is affecting us and that summer and winter seasons are very unpredictable nowadays. People are very addicted to technology and always wanted to bring it with them. In some way, this series depicts the world before the wide spread of technology and the world after it happened.

FAERY TRIVIAS 

VOW - It is made willingly, is self-inflicted, and places no requirements upon the recipient. No expectations whatsoever. Leaving the one trapped, completely at the mercy of the other…unless they decide to release him. In the world of faeries, vow is very important. Vow is the most serious declaration a fey can make. Feys don't make promises lightly and releasing a faery from a vow is the worst insult in the world. It's like basically telling him that you don't trust him anymore, and that you believe he's incapable of carrying it out. And when you release a faery from a vow, you'll never see him/her again because it basically means you don't want them around any longer. 

TOKEN - Certain items have been so loved and cherished by mortals that they become something else entirely—a symbol of that emotion, whether it be love, hate, pride, or fear. A favored doll, or an artist’s master piece. And some times, though rarely, the item be comes so important that it grows a life of its own. It’s as if a bit of the human’s soul was left behind, clinging to the once-ordinary article. They are highly sought after, for they radiate a special glam our that never fades away.”

I learned that love can transcend race and time, and that it can be beautiful and perfect and worth fighting for but also fragile and heart breaking, and some times sacri­fice is necessary. That some times it’s you against the world, and there are no easy answers. That you have to know when to hold on…and when to let go. And even if that love comes back, you could discover some thing in some one else who has been there all along.

You might have to teach me a little about the human world, but I’m willing to learn if it means being close to you.” He smiled again, a wry quirk of his lips. “I’m sure I can adapt to ‘being human,’ if I must. If you want me to at tend classes as a student, I can do that. If you want to move to a large city to pursue your dreams, I will follow. And if, some day, you wish to be married in a white gown and make this official in human eyes, I’m willing to do that, too.” He leaned in, close enough for me to see my reflection in his silver gaze. “For better or worse, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now.”

“I will keep fighting for you,” Ash said in a low, in tense voice. “Do what you must. I’ll be here, what ever you decide. If it takes one year or a thousand, I will keep you safe.”

“The more we’re connected to our chosen someone  the more we can pick up on what they’re feeling. It’s instinctive, like breathing.”

“I plan to keep you, from everyone  for as long as I’m alive. That includes Puck, the false king, and any one else who would take you away.” One corner of his mouth quirked, as I struggled to catch my breath under his powerful scrutiny. “I guess I should warned you that I have a slight possessive streak.”

Summer magic was the magic of life, heat, and passion.

Fairy godmothers didn't exist, and even if they did, they wouldn't wave a magic wand and make every thing better. (Not without a contract, any way.) Besides, I had some thing better than a fairy godmother; I had my faery knight, my faery trickster, and my faery cat, and that was enough.

"You are my heart, my life, my entire existence." - Ash

"If you are gone," he whispered back, his voice shaking, "then I will welcome nonexistence. There will be nothing left for me to live for."

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