The Iron Knight Special Edition (The Iron Fey)

First I have to say that there are very few book series that I will read more than once. I'm the kind of person that may read a book I loved annually or I might read a series I love, say... 10x (Harry Potter). I've read a lot of books this past year and some I do think I'll read again... then there are those special series that I know I'll read over and over and over.... The Iron Fey has officially made the list of books I'll read again and again!! I absolutely love this series and no words I could ever write will truly grasp the extreme writing talent and imagination Julie Kagawa has put into these books! A job well done seems to be a huge understatement!!I loved getting to look into the mind and heart of Ash. In the other books we knew he loved Meghan and we knew that he was devoted to her, but to see what he went through, the inner turmoil and struggle and journey to get a soul... it was amazing! Without giving away spoilers I want to say that towards the end I was worried about Ash making the right choice because I didn't want to see him become mortal and die. I mean, who does right?! So I was in love with the little twist that should enable him to remain youthful and strong and always be the Ash we fell in love with!Of course I feel the supreme need to list my favorite characters so here I go ;-) Grim first and foremost is one hell of a cat!! I love his whole being... his mind, personality and sense of humor. True to form he was on his toes and leading the way into a perilous journey suited for only the strongest fey... and I love his disappearing act, I mean who wouldn't disappear in those situations?!I LOVED that Ariella was in the book and we got to glimpse what she was like. At first I didn't like her but I grew to understand her feelings and I sympathized with where she was coming from. Having to know her own future and that Ash would love Meghan and choose her in the end was heartbreaking! I loved her sacrifice and the pureness we saw in her at the end. I liked that, in a way, she'd always live on in one who had loved her and would never forget her memory!I LOVED that the Big Bad Wolf came along for the ride as well. I loved how he stalks and kills and protects at the same time. I for one will never forget the Big Bad Wolf... I will tell his story to my children and all who will listen so he will never be forgotten! I was so glad to see him endure until the end and would love to read more about him in later books...Later books you say?! YES!! There should be more Fey books and I expect them wholeheartedly! Why you ask?! Because one of my most favorite characters was left with an unsettled ending. Yes my friends, Puck. My beloved Robin Goodfellow whom my heart broke for on so many occasions I was in tears! If I don't get to read more about Puck and his mischievous antics I will be one sad person!! :'( How can Puck not get some kind of happy ending? I LOVE PUCK!! I was always team Ash for Meghan don't get me wrong... I never wavered there but I had hoped Puck would get a happy ending as well. Though if I'm being completely honest I'm glad he didn't get one in the Iron Knight. I think he needs his own series dedicated just to him!! Just sayin' Julie... I need more Puck!!Overall I can't recommend this series highly enough. I have bought all the books and novella's for my Kindle and I will buy without hesitation anything Julie Kagawa writes!! BUY ALL THESE BOOKS and read them NOW!! They are amazing, so well written, beautiful descriptions, amazingly developed characters with so much depth and thought put into each one... I can't even begin to describe how wonderful these books are!! If you haven't read them you're missing out big time!!

This book was so different from the rest in the series because I was in Prince Ash's head for the duration. I will say that Kagawa does a great job of letting you know that you are with another character because the writing style was distinctive and Ash doesn't think like Meghan does so the story feels altered. It will be hard for me to review this the way that I would like to simply for spoiler's sake.The GoodI love Ash. Getting to see how he ticks was like opening my presents on Christmas morning. He is not all unicorns and glitter, but would I want him to be? Of course not. He has some major regrets, and he should as he has done some terrible things in his lifetime. He has doubts like I do. He constantly questions everything and is deeply thinking about how useful emotions are as well as which path is really the best for him. In short, it was a very realistic journey into his psyche. Did I get upset with him some while reading? Yes. Did I wince at some of the things I learned. Yes. In the end though, I am glad for every revelation, every doubt, and every obstacle that led to the conclusion of this book.I also loved a new character that was introduced in this one. I don't want to say a whole lot about him and give too much away. He was the perfect off-set of Grimalkin and their banter was on par with Ash and Puck's. Speaking of, Puck on the ride with Ash for the sake of Meghan's happiness was something that had my skin tingling. I loved it. These two are so good together and watching their rivalry through the books has been a tough process when I want nothing more than them to be the best of buds. From the beginning with Puck antagonizing the witch (that I am assuming is the Baba Yaga), to the end with Puck going his separate way because he's angered Oberon again, I thoroughly enjoyed their deep-seated friendship even if they don't always see it themselves.It's hard to say everything that I really loved about this book without too many spoilers. This was a journey for Ash so that he could be with his love again. It entailed most things that journeys do...battles, hard decisions, good traveling companions, and revelations. Kagawa's writing was beautifully done. There were times when I had no idea how this was going to end up, but she pulled it off perfectly.The BadThere were slow moving parts as there often is in a book about a quest. I also wasn't too sure how I felt about the conflict that was added into this book. If you have read this one, you will know what I am talking about. In the end, I am glad it was done the way that it was, but I admit that I wasn't so sure how I felt about it at first.The RomanceSince Meghan and Ash are not together in this one the romance is really not a physical aspect so much as one that is in the mind keeping Ash going. It is more about what Ash really wants and what he is willing to do to achieve it. There are some small romantic scenes though.ConclusionThis was a fantastic conclusion to this series. I feel like I loved it more book by book. Kagawa knows how to get you fully invested into her characters and make you really want to root for them. Especially the side characters which I love more than I think any other series I've read. Recommended for anyone that enjoys paranormal reads.

I tealky enjoyed this as it gave some very unexepected turns. When a deep love is kept apart due to one world poison to the other, the fight to fix that is not easy. A new adventure with old friendships that had been fractured in the past who make sacrifices to keep each other alive.

Einst war Ash der Winterprinz, der unbarmherzige Sohn der Unseelie-Königin Mab. Seit seine Liebste einen grauenhaften Tod starb, war alles in ihn an Gefühlen abgetötet. Dachte er. Dann verliebte er sich in Meghan Chase - halb Mensch, halb Sommerfee. Für sie verließ seinen Hof, gab seine Position preis, schwor ihr Ritter bis zum Tod zu sein. Doch dann befreite Meghan ihn von seinen Schwur und verbannte ihn, um sein Leben zu retten. Sie wurde die Königin im Eisenreich, das tödlich für Sommer- wie Winterfeen ist. Aber Ash gab sich das Versprechen, einen Weg zu ihr zurückzufinden. Dafür ist er bereit, alles zu opfern und sich von seinen Erbe loszusagen, um das Unmögliche zu erreichen: Er will ein Mensch werden.Auf der langen Reise zur Sterblichkeit gesellen sich neben Ashs Erzrivalen Puck, den Schelm der Sommerfeen, weitere alte wie neue Gefährten dazu. Zahllose Abenteurer gilt es zu bestehen, denn der Weg entlang des River of Dreams ist voller Gefahren. Zusammen führt ihre Reise sie zum Ende der Welt - und darüber hinaus. Das Ziel sind die legendären testing grounds, von denen noch niemand wieder zurückgekehrt ist. Um Zugang zu ihnen zu erlangen, gilt es einen gauntlet im Kampf gegen die Zeit zu bezwingen. Wird Ash es schaffen, alle Prüfungen zu bestehen, um den Preis zu erringen: Eine Seele?MeinungZu diesem Buch fällt mir nur ein Wort ein: Wow! Kamen die drei Bücher aus Meghan Chase Perspektive vor allen bei den ersten Bänden erst nach Anlaufschwierigkeiten in Schwung, katapultiert einen Ashs Erzählung gleich mitten ins Geschehen und fesselt von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite. Schon relativ nah zu Beginn gibt es eine Überraschung, die vieles aus den vorangegangenen Büchern in ein anderes Licht taucht und nachträglich abrundet. Doch auch sonst hat die Geschichte einiges zu bieten. Neben bekannten Wesen haben zahlreiche neue Kreaturen einen Auftritt. Interessant ist vor allem der Auftritt der Vergessenen im Buch. Da die neue Serie rund um Ethan Chase, Meghans Bruder, den Reihentitel "Call of the Forgotten" trägt, rechne ich fest mit einen Wiedersehen mit diesen merkwürdigen Wesen.Besonders gut gefallen hat mir in "The Iron Knight" die Dynamik innerhalb der Reisegruppe aufgrund der interessanten Konstellation. Jeder Charakter wird fortlaufend in die Handlung eingebunden und spielt eine wichtige Rolle. Natürlich liegt das Zentrum der Erzählung auf Ash, doch der ehemalige Winterprinz bietet mit seiner Vergangenheit und seinen emotionalen Konflikten auch reichlich Erzählstoff. Dabei hält Julie Kagawa wunderbar die Waage zwischen actiongetriebener Spannung und gefühlvoller Innenansicht. Die Reise verläuft in den genau den richtigen Tempo, so dass keine Langeweile aufkommt, der Leser aber auch nicht von einem Paukenschlag zum nächsten gehetzt wird.Dieses Buch ist der perfekte Abschluss der Reihe um die Eisenfeen. Es werden zahlreiche offene Fragen beantwortet, von denen ich teilweise gar nicht bemerkt hatte, dass sie noch offen waren. Im Anhang gibt es noch einen Überlebensleitfaden für das Neverever und ein Interview mit Julie Kagawa. Darin erzählt sie, dass sie mit diesem Buch ein Happily Ever After schreiben wollte. Und das ist ihr wahrhaft gelungen!FazitEin glänzender Abschluss der "Iron Fey"-Reihe, der die Reihe grandios vollendet. Absoluter Must-Read für Fans der Reihe und Julie Kagawa!5 Sterne

This series may be aimed at the Young Adult market BUT my friends and I love them too ~ and I'm nearly 46 !!!Iron Knight by Julie KawagaThe Iron Fey series is ~The Iron KingWinters Passage (novella)The Iron DaughterThe Iron QueenSummer's Crossing (novella)Iron KnightI absolutely love this series ~ they are equalled only by my affection for the Twilight Saga. I might even say that this series is even better than the Twilight Saga, which will shock the many that know what a Twi~girl I am!The series follows Meghan Chase, a teenager who suddenly finds out that she is half fey. The bastard daughter of no less than King Oberon. The books are all action packed, with exciting storylines and wonderful characters whom it would be impossible to not grow attached to. The big winner for me was the fact that I cared what happened to the characters ~ if that doesn't happen, a book is no good for my personal taste. Through the series, I grew immensely attached to the characters, despite their realistic flaws. I hope that Puck is given a conclusively happy ending in another book. He is a wonderfully humorous and touchingly loyal scamp who deserves to find true love. I don't know of any plans for further books but truly hope that Julie Kawaga gives Puck a book of his own. I was also very sorry to say goodbye to Grim, the wise & all knowing, sarcastic Cheshire cat character.That said, I was definitely "Team Ash" throughout the series ~ he is Mr Darcy, Edward Cullen and every other dark, solemn and strong hero from the world of literature. I therefore eagerly waited to read his story with excitement and anticipation ~ and am pleased to say that I was not disappointed. Once again (as with previous books in the series) as soon as I'd finished the book, I rushed to the beginning to immediately read it again. I loved this book, with it's interesting twists and turns. A character was resurrected that I didn't expect to see and took me completely by surprise ~ but through Kawaga's skill, I quickly saw the integral role that was filled by this resurrection.Ash has, against his every inclination, fallen in love with someone he should hate ~ an enemy of his own realm and Winter Court, someone whose new power has the ability to destroy everything that he holds dear. To love Meghan is to break not just the laws of the Winter Court (where he was Prince) but of the faery world too. He cannot help himself. His love will not be denied despite his attempts to thwart it. He has sworn by his full, real name (that should never be revealed to others, lest it put him in their power) to be Meghan's Knight, her protector, until his dying day. However, that is difficult to do when the realm where she now lives is poisonous to him. Will kill him. Determined to be with his love, Ash literally travels to the end of the world, in an attempt to seek a way to be reunited with her. He meets impossible challenges, incredible creatures and faces his own worse fears. Puck accompanies Ash. An incredibly unselfish act as he himself loves Meghan too ~ but knowing that she loves Ash, he steadfastly tries to help him in his trials. We can forgive Puck for the trouble that inevitably seems to follow him, when we consider the huge sacrifice he is making, the emotional pain he is enduring. He also made me laugh out loud repeatedly with his witty quips and foolish behaviour.The characters within the series are well rounded, realistic and endearing. I like the shades of grey that they have ~ bad guys that perform good deeds and good guys who are tempted astray. The fantastic and magical are cleverly interwoven with the modern day, giving a depth of realism and empathy. These are books that I am loathe to put down whilst reading and am always disappointed when I reach the end, no matter the outcome, as I don't want to leave them. This is a series that I will return to repeatedly.I cannot express my praise for this series highly enough. The books are well written and engaging, enticing and exciting, enthralling and realistic. I would read any book written by this author without hesitation and would recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.

Oh Ash!!!!!!!!!J'ai adoré cette saga, j'avais commencé en français pour me plonger dans l'anglais avec le tome 3 et celui-ci... Impossible d'attendre! je les lirai en français dès qu'ils sortiront et je m'en réjouis vraiment... car j'ai manqué plein de petits détails avec cette version originale, mon anglais était suffisant pour comprendre mais pas pour "tout" comprendre!Si vous ne l'avez pas lu, n'attendez plus une seule seconde et LISEZ-LE.Cette sage est géniale, merci Julie.Je suis une fan inconditionnelle de Twilight et je pense sincèrement que cette saga avec mon beau Ash rivalise.

When I first came across the Iron Fey series, I had no idea that I would almost be addicted to it. The Iron Knight book was no different from all the other books. I could not put it down and enjoyed it tremendously. In fact I have recommended it to German friends when I discovered they were also available in German. I believe Julie Kagawa is a fantastic author