Book Review: The Iron Queen

Book being reviewed: The Iron Queen

Author: Julie Kagawa

I give this book:

3 out of 5 owls.

My name is Meghan Chase. 

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 book, oh this book... I don’t even know what to say.  I’m at a loss with The Iron Queen since it is my least favorite in the series.  To be quite frank, I don’t even know why, either.  It took me almost a week to read this one.  When compared to the other two books, I flew right through those two novels within three days of each other.  My children were fed and attended to, but that’s about it.  I do believe my husband made a comment about the laundry and the fact that he needed something washed for the previous day, but I was in a Faery-induced haze.  I don’t remember much from those days.  That’s how absorbed I was into The Iron King and The Iron Daughter.  But I digress.

Thinking about it, I guess my reasoning behind the aforementioned opinion would be how I rolled through the book with the thought of, “Okay, Meghan has to kill the false king..... but, what else?”  We knew this was going to happen, it was inevitable.  Regardless of of this fact, give me something more. Which, in my opinion, I didn’t get.  All the action happened in the last part of the book, during the Faery battle.  It drove me nuts, I wanted more action like what occurred in the two previous books.  I understand Meghan and Ash’s love needed more time to blossom and grow since their love didn’t get much of an opportunity before, but there could have been more to the story.  I can say, however, the moment Ash vowed to be Meghan’s knight I may have sighed like a love-struck teenage girl.  It was such an amazing moment between the two characters, which only strengthened their love even more.

There was also the issue of me predicting most of the story, “MOST” being the key word here.  I predicted who the false king was at the beginning of the book.  I also predicted Meghan becoming Queen of the Iron Realm.  That was a given.  The girl wasn’t bestowed those powers for nothing.

Despite my feelings towards most of the book, I still enjoyed reading the end.  The end was action-packed with a heart-wrenching moment between Meghan and Ash.  Not gonna lie, I happened to get a little teary-eyed when Meghan decided to sacrifice herself but chose to save Ash by banishing him from the iron realm.  I could only imagine how hard that moment was for not only her, but Ash as well. They’re love is beautiful, that much is certain.  I don’t know if I’d ever be strong enough to do as Meghan did and watch my true love walk away knowing I’m about to die.  Call it selfishness if you choose, but Meghan’s was an act of courage and selflessness.

I can honestly say though, in all the series that I have read before in the past and loved, there is always that one book that was my least favorite.  That book is usually the one where my attention wains a bit, and The Iron Queen was that book.  And even though I’ve ranted some about the parts I didn’t particularly like, or the parts that I wish had been present, I would, without a doubt, recommend The Iron King series.

So if you haven’t already picked up the first book to read it, which I’m sure you have as I’m behind with the times, please do it.  Now.  Yes, obviously I’m a little bossy today. ;)

Until next time, bookworms,