ARC Review of The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight
Series: The Iron Fey Series #4
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Copyright by Julie Kagawa 2011
Courtesy of NetGalley
Julie Kagawa's Official Website
Julie's Blog
The Iron Fey Facebook

Synopsis:

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.

Just let me say…There could not possibly have been a better ending for the Iron Fey Series. Julie perfected each of her characters in this book, allowing them to grow, mature, and resolve old problems. She dissolved the disputes, answered the unanswered questions, and even provided a possible future for her characters.

I have always been Team Ash, but there has always been a piece of my heart reserved for Puck. Yep…I cried, again! But in the end I was not only satisfied, but elated by their choices and their futures.

What an adventure! Really! My mind was reeling by the surprise appearances of people, creatures, and places. This book provided so many unsuspected twists and turns that I could not put it down (and I mean for even one single second.) Julie was able to give characters who were barely a whisper in the wind their own voices and a time to shine. Ash, Puck, The Big Bad Wolf, Grimalkin, and….a surprise guest, each played an integral role in helping Ash achieve his goal. All are completely indispensable to the journey, but some actually have to sacrifice their own wishes and even their lives.

“The Testing Grounds,” he repeated…”I suspected as much. Then, if you wish to go to the Testing Grounds, you must be looking for something…Something you lack. Something very important. Your Name? No…I have a feeling you already know your True Name. What, then? You have power. You have immortality, in a sense…Ahhh, yes, I know why. There is only one thing left…You’re here because of the girl aren’t you?”

One of the things I enjoy so much about The Iron Fey Series is the characters and their repartee. They always make me laugh out loud. Puck's and Ash's constant bickering is perhaps some of my favorite dialogue in this series; however, there are other characters who have some unforgettable lines.

“Wake her up. I will attempt to rouse Goodfellow once more. Perhaps he will waken if claws are applied in a strategically important area. Then you can all tackle the dog. I will certainly not partake in that endeavor.”

Ah…the witty banter of Grimalkin. I will miss him dearly! But I will never forget, because to forget is to murder…murder all of the childhood story characters, the fey, and all the characters I have come to love in the Iron Fey Series because of Julie’s undying love of these characters.
A definite must read!!!

*This is an Advanced Reader Copy Review. It is an Uncorrected E-Proof meaning changess can still be made to The Iron Knight at this time. I want to thank NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for allowing me to review this surprisingly intriguing book. Anything quoted or alluded to is subject to change. All opinions are 100% mine. I do not work for any entity that may cause bias nor am I compensated for my reviews in any other way than by my followers who read and comment on my reviews!