Title: The Iron Knight
SubTitle: Book 4 in the Iron Fey Series
Publisher: Harlequin
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pub Date: 10/25/2011
ISBN:9780373210367
“I want to become…mortal,” I said in a low voice. My stomach recoiled, hearing those words for the first time. “ I promised someone…I swore I would find a way to survive the Iron Realm, and I can’t go there as I am.” The witch raised an eyebrow, and I drew myself up, fixing her with a cold stare. “I want to become human…” pg. 11
Ashallayn’darkmyer Tallyn, last prince of the Unseelie Court, has sworn an oath to his true love Meghan Chase, the Iron Queen that they will be together. Before Meghan entered into his life, Ash never let anyone or anything break through the icy barriers surrounding his mind and heart. In order to be with her, Ash must do the seemingly impossible~ travel to the end of the world to earn the one thing fey and magic folk do not have… a soul. Without it, he cannot live with Meghan, for the Iron Kingdom she rules burns him. Ash starts off on his quest, but he is not alone. Traveling with him is his regretful friend/enemy Puck [that he has vowed to kill], Grimalkin the knowledgeable cait sith, Ariella, the knowledgeable seer and lost love, and the legendary Big Bad Wolf, offering strength and protection to the group.
Surviving the quest is the challenge, and all five travelers commit to helping Ash see his way through the River of Dreams to the end of the world, where he will have the opportunity to run the gauntlet and earn a soul. Ash is strong, but has no idea what it will take to become human. He must leave behind his magical ways and embrace the uncertain vulnerability of humanity. What Ash realizes is that accomplishing his quest not only offers him mortality, it offers him the chance to change his life forever…with love.
Julie Kagawa has outdone herself with The Iron Knight. I loved the first three books in the Iron Fey series, but I loved LOVED this book. Ash is the star, and because of Julie’s superb writing abilities, I felt like I was on the quest with him. I experienced the emotions along with the characters, and I could see the River of Dreams and the dream debris through the words on the page. The strong motifs of friendship, sacrifice, and destiny kept the plot exciting, deep, and emotional. Almost as brilliant as Ash is Puck- the comic relief in the story. His one-liners and ability to joke in deadly situations made me laugh- and wish that he was also finding what Ash was so desperate for, true love. This book is magical, and needs no glamour or spell to entice you. The words, the characters, and outstanding writing is the magic that makes The Iron Knight one of the best books I have ever read.
I give this book my highest rating: A+
