Book Review: The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

If you haven't read The Iron Daughter the second book in this series please see my review of it since this will contain spoilers for both the first and second books.

Release Date: January 25, 2011
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Length: 358 pages

"In less than twenty-four hours I'll be seventeen.

Although technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, age wise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognise myself.

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 conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back"

Review:

Characters: Meghan Chase returns, now exiled because of her love for Ash, the prince of the Unseelie Court, she tries to decide what to do next. Due to her adventures in the Nevernever, she has changed dramatically and is conflicted both in mind and magic. Once she is set out on a new journey that could change not only her life but the lives of the entire Nevernever, she slowly works through the many issues she is dealt. Joining her once again is the smart-talking and quick-witted cat Grimalkin. Grim offers a bit more help than he has in the past and as always offers the most comic relief.

Romance: The love triangle that was officially established in the previous book winds down a bit. Meghan has made her choice and doesn't want to change her mind. This does deter her suitors though, for while they may have to work together, their love for Meghan only adds to their disdain for each other. Can one of them put aside their loathing in favor of what would make Meghan happy or will they continue to fight over a girl who has made her choice.

World-Building: There were a lot of sweet world-building moments that shed light on not only Meghan's past but the past of other key characters. We get to travel through more of the Iron Kingdom that is slowly encompassing the entirety of the Nevernever. Places like Machina's tower will be revisited and we learn of a iron fey rebellion. We visit some characters from the first and second books, who, though they a smaller role add to some of the more important subplots.

Predictability: For the most part this book wasn't all that predictable. Except for one thing that's under the reader's nose the entire time. When we learn the identity of who the false king is I kept wondering if it would be someone new, or if it would be an old character whom we only briefly saw. I couldn't say whether or not I was surprised by the answer, but I can say it did add an interesting dynamic to the ending.

Ending: This ending was so bittersweet. On one hand there are feelings of triumph and celebration, while on the other the feelings are somber and depressing. This ending will leave you screaming for the next installment, The Iron Knight, luckily since it's already out you won't have to wait too long. I was literally yelling at the book not to end the way it did.

Overall, this is getting 5 out of 5 stars, though there are plenty of predictable moments it was fun to see the moments unfurl in front of you. I loved the action and the suspense, and the ending will leave you with a bittersweet heartbreak.

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Next Week: Summer's Crossing and The Iron Knight