Brad About Books: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Read from October 7 to 9, 2013

THE IRON TRAITOR
Expected Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 342 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Lost Prince.

Talk about a whirlwind of emotions. The Iron Traitor is an electrifying sequel that not only set the bar high for faerie novels, it proves Julie Kagawa's mark in YA. One of a kind.

We got to see so much of Ethan, our main character, in The Lost Prince, but in this sequel, his character development is taken to a whole new level. He knows and understands who he truly is, but now he's having to readjust to the reality around him. With bullies and love dilemmas, Ethan's life is stressful in The Iron Traitor, but Kagawa does an exceptional job at bringing his character to life off the page. He has evolved so much from book one, and right from the first page, his character development skyrockets. Ethan is truly a hero for the ages.

So. Much. Action. There is never a dull moment in The Iron Traitor - I found it near impossible to tear my eyes away from the page, just because there was so much tension and fast-paced moments on the page. I knew that Julie Kagawa is a master of thrilling scenes from the previous Iron Fey novels, but she proves herself in The Iron Traitor. The Forgotten! They're so creepy and delirious, but I couldn't get enough of them. And the world-building that is built upon the Nevernever was awesome. We get to see the most darkest sides of the world in this second novel, and I adored that. Thrilling and intense, The Iron Traitor is an epic story that will have your eyes glued to the pages and your pulse racing.

If you thought that The Lost Prince was awesome, prepare to have your mind blown by The Iron Traitor. Like the title infers, there's some betrayal circling this world, but I never expected the secrets that are revealed to be so addictive and consuming. If I have to knock anything about this sequel, it would have to be that I felt the middle was a bit draggy. It picked up very quickly, but it was a little sluggish in the middle. But most definitely, I never wanted this book to end; I was so tangled up in this world, it was impossible to escape it. More, please!

Overall, The Iron Traitor is an incredible sequel of deception, love, and the true cost of betrayal. With wonderful writing and incredible characters, The Iron Traitor shouldn't be missed!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Whatnot by Stefan Bachmann

Read on May 15, 2013

THE WHATNOT
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Greenwillow (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 432 pages
Source: ALA
Series: The Peculiar, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Peculiar.

"Oh, the Sly King, the Sly King in his towers of ash and wind..." 

Oh wow. I mean, oh wow. I loved The Peculiar, but The Whatnot just blew it out of the water. One of my favorite sequels (and one of my favorite books, in general) of all-time! Can someone say epic? Or fantastic? Because I'm feeling all the feels.

When I read and fell in love with book one, a sequel hadn't been announced - and I was heartbroken. I wanted more of this world, more of the changelings, and more of the fantastic writing style! And when The Whatnot was announced, I literally freaked out. As soon as I got it, I had to dive into it immediately. I got it late at night and only planned to read the first chapter or so...

...200 pages later, I couldn't control myself from sinking deeper and deeper into this rich and vibrant world. Everything about this series is one-of-a-kind and marvelous - they're the best middle grade books I have ever read. If you love fantasy/all things paranormal and supernatural, these books are a must-read. You won't regret it!

What I found that was most interesting about this sequel was that the main characters from The Peculiar (Bartholomew and Arthur Jelliby) weren't main characters in The Whatnot - Hettie got to tell her story! Hettie was a bundle of joy to read in book one, and I was so excited to get the chance to read from her POV. And we get to meet Pikey, who is lonesome outcast and is brilliant. But then again, we are talking about The Peculiar Saga - everything is brilliant. From the world-building, right down to the vivid and imaginative gadgets and steampunk creations. Fantastically incredible, Stefan Bachmann is a master storyteller.

So. Much. Action. Prepare yourselves for some freaky and eerie changelings! Since we are set in the faerie world, we see the faeries for all that they are. And believe me, they are frightening! In the beginning, I didn't know how in the world the faeries could get any creepier, but Bachmann took them to a whole new level in the end. Such a phenomenal sequel - I can't even tell you how much I adore these books!

Overall, The Whatnot is a magical and amazing sophomore novel, and I could go on for hours on end on how much I love this series. The best middle-grade series out there.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Read on July 5, 2013

THE IRON QUEEN
Published: January 25, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 358 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: The Iron Fey, #3

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Read my reviews for the first two books in this series:

The Iron King • The Iron Daughter 

The Iron Queen is a fantastic installment in one of the best YA series out there. I still can't get over how epic this book was! It was crazy, but awesome!

Best part about The Iron Queen? So. Much. Action. Like, this book. The action begins right on page one and never quits. You will never find a slow moment - so much war, so many battles, so much bloodshed. I was a bit taken aback of how awesome this third book was! The first two were excellent, but had a bit of a slow-paced beginning. That's definitely not the case with The Iron Queen - Kagawa shocks and surprises the reader left and right, and with all of this fighting going on between the Feys, it's hard to get distracted from this book! I could never tear my eyes away from the page. This series keeps getting better and better!

Meghan. Oh Meghan, Meghan, Meghan. How amazing you were! Remember how I said that I thought Meghan was naïve in the first two books (not so much in The Iron Daughter)? WELL. She takes charge of the Nevernever and of her destiny in The Iron Queen. She won't take no for an answer, and oh man, she just turned so epic and heroic in this book. I absolutely fell in love with her. You know who else was great in this book? Ash. Ash seemed distant in the second book, but he totally redeemed himself in The Iron Queen. I just can't even with this series. It's so good!

The. Epilogue. *dies* That was such a fierce and marvelous ending! I was so scared as to what was going to happen, and what did happen was so interesting and powerful. It sets up the transition to the fourth book so well. Julie Kagawa has easily become one of my favorite authors. Enthralling and captivating!

Overall, The Iron Queen was such an awesome third book. This series is absolutely fantastic and continues to be even better than its predecessor! Wonderful and marvelous like none other!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Read on June 26, 2013

THE IRON DAUGHTER
Published: August 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 359 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: The Iron Fey, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Iron King.

The Iron Daughter is an epic sequel with thrilling scenes so intense and a romance that blossoms so bright, it could melt any icy heart. Not only did Kagawa pull me deeper into the story, she made me fall in love with it all over again.

Sequels are a tricky thing. They are either: A) Very climatic with loads of action scenes, secrets revealed, and characters developing into even stronger people - or - B) Slow-going, not a lot of action since most of it will be saved for the finale, and the characters stay the same. It's very unfortunate when a sequel is the B option, but in this case, The Iron Daughter is totally not like that. The action scenes are incredible and nail-biting worthy. I have officially determined that Julie Kagawa is a master of action scenes. There are just so many of them, and each one draws you into the battle and never lets you go. And it is so hard to put down any of these books! The Iron Daughter was a masterfully crafted and one of a kind sequel. I loved it even more than  the first book!

I had problems with Meghan in The Iron King, but I sure didn't in the sequel! She felt strong and caring - a perfect balance of both emotions. I felt that Ash was a bit distant in The Iron Daughter, but based off the circumstances, I could see why. I mean, faeries at war with each other?! Yes please. And these faeries are scary! I loved the way Kagawa described this haunting, yet beautiful, world of the Nevernever - it just seemed stunning. Even though there is loads of darkness lurking in the Nevernever, I wouldn't mind going on a journey with Meghan, Ash, and Puck (and don't forget Grim! I swear, that cat is my favorite part of this series) through it! The world-building is insanely unique and totally original. This is definitely my favorite Fae series, for sure!

War is a huge part of The Iron Fey series, and loads of war can be found in The Iron Daughter! It took just a little bit for some plot to get going, but once it did, it took off like a rocket. I guess that's why I loved it even more than the first book - there is never a stop-and-go moment. Everything is just go go go! I couldn't stop reading The Iron Daughter for a single minute, and that's how I knew that this was an excellent sequel. So good! 

Overall, The Iron Daughter is a great installment in this marvelous series. Chilling as the bitter ice itself, The Iron Daughter delivers with thrilling moments and blooming love.

M Y     R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Read on June 21, 2013

THE IRON KING
Published: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 363 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: The Iron Fey, #1

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

The Iron King is a sizzling and terrific paranormal read that will keep eyes glued to the page and flipping those pages rapidly. One of the best paranormal books I've ever read.

Faery books are starting to become a trend - which I think is awesome - and The Iron King is one of the first YA faery novels (that I came across, anyway). Julie Kagawa's debut was absolutely incredible! While I did find Meghan to be a little rocky for me in the beginning, she definitely grew on me as the novel progressed, and I ended up really loving the book! Plus, how can you not like a land for the Fae? Even if some faeries are a bit wicked and nasty... still, this novel was so, so good. It was thrilling and fast-paced, and absolutely un-put-down-able!

The characters are wonderful as well! Meghan grew strong and mighty by the end of the book, and wow, she just blew my mind! And Puck, Ethan, Ash, Grim (Grim!!! One of the coolest characters ever!), just the entire ensemble were terrific. I love it when a book doesn't have only a great protagonist, but every character stands out and shines bright on their own. Kagawa's way of developing her characters was incredible, and I've never read anything like The Iron King. Totally and utterly epic!

My favorite part about The Iron King? I have numerous favorite parts about this novel, but my absolute most favorite is that some of the faeries are terrifying. They are monsters, are ruthless, and will stop at nothing until you are dead. And to this, I say, THANK GOODNESS. I love it when an author doesn't hold back on the gory and monster-like parts of a book, and Kagawa did an amazing job with making these monsters what they truly are... monstrous monsters. Loved it so much!

Overall, The Iron King illuminates with love and blossoms with climatic, edge-of-your-seat moments. I couldn't get enough of this book!

M Y    R A T I N G