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

#YeahYA Nashville Author Stop RECAP!

This past Monday, July 15, I was in Nashville for the Harlequin Teen #YeahYA Author Fest! And it was so. much. FUN! I had an absolute blast! With me was my mom and best friend, and we had so much fun at the event. Since I was the blogger for the tour stop, I had the chance to interview the authors and take notes! (Scroll to the bottom to see the interview!) 

When the event actually began, everyone was so excited!

The front of the crowd

Everyone was dying to ask a question!

Karen Ann Hopkins talking about living in an Amish community

The Q&A was tons and tons of fun!

• Julie Kagawa never intended on writing a vampire novel - it just happened.

• Aimee Carter has always loved Greek mythology - even when she was just a little kid - and decided to write a Greek re-telling, but put a twist on it.

• Karen Ann Hopkins decided to write an Amish story after working with Amish and non-Amish kids on her horse ranch in her community.

• All of the authors' advice to aspiring writers is to keep trying, even after rejection. We all started in the same place. Learn to take criticism. Also, if you can write about things you know/experienced, it will bring more realism and depth to it.

After the Q&A was done, everyone lined up to get books signed!

This line wrapped around toward the back of the building!

While in line, I finally got to meet one of my Twitter friends, Kayla, in person! She's so awesome!

Yay for bookish people meeting in person! 

AND I got to meet in person one of my blogger best friends, Jessica @ Lovin Los Libros! 

So happy we got to finally meet in person!!

And when I got my books signed, I was able to sit down with the authors and ask questions!

(left to right) Julie Kagawa, Aimee Carter, Karen Ann Hopkins

THE INTERVIEW!

A huge thanks to Harlequin Teen and the authors! This experience has been AMAZING!

(left to right) Julie Kagawa, me, Aimee Carter, and Karen Ann Hopkins!

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

#YEAHYA Announcement: Nashville Official Blogger Tour Stop

Calling all Nashville book lovers! Today, I'm here to announced that #YeahYA Harlequin Author Tour! I'm so thrilled that some wonderful authors will be stopping by Nashville, and I hope that you can come!

Who Will Be There?

•  Julie Kagawa - author of The Iron Fey series (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight, and The Iron Legends), The Call of the Forgotten series (The Lost Prince and upcoming The Iron Traitor), and the Blood of Eden series (The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure, and the upcoming The Forever Song)

• Aimee Carter - author of the Goddess series (The Goddess Test, The Goddess Hunt, Goddess Interrupted, The Goddess Legacy, and The Goddess Inheritance) and the upcoming Blackcoat Rebellion Chronicles (book one, Pawn, will be out November 26!)

• Karen Ann Hopkins - author of the Temptation series (Temptation and Belonging)

Where Will It Be?

These awesome authors will have the event at...

Books-A-Million #662

6718 Charlotte Pike

Nashville, Tennessee 37209

(615) 352-5154

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for this event! I love all of Julie Kagawa's books; The Iron Fey series is such an epic journey, and the Blood of Eden series is a post-apocalyptic vampire story! Who wouldn't love that?! Aimee Carter's Greek re-telling series is one of a kind - they're marvelous! And Karen Ann Hopkins's contemporary is like none other! I can't wait to meet these authors and hopefully see some fellow Tennessee bloggers there as well!

If you see me, come say hi! I love meeting bookish people! Can't wait for the #YeahYA Author Fest!

Check out the other stops!

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 Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Read from June 26 to 27, 2013

THE IMMORTAL RULES
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 485 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Blood of Eden, #1

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

The Immortal Rules is a brilliantly-executed and wholly-original story that captivated me into this dark and lethal world, and made me never want to leave! An epic tale that readers will fall in love with.

Vampires have been used over and over so many times, it's becoming redundant. However, The Immortal Rules takes vampires and puts a twist on it (one that I adore so much) - Julie Kagawa added dystopian/post-apocalyptic elements to this book. And she balanced both genres out so well! The post-apocalyptic and ruined wasteland was frightening and chilling, especially with the eerie atmosphere looming over it. Kagawa is fantastic writer, and this novel proves it. With all the hype surrounding it, The Immortal Rules definitely delivers. 

The Immortal Rules starts off with a bang and never lets up. We are thrust right into this world (with a huge action scene), and there is never a dull moment in this novel! There is a new twist and turn during every chapters, and you know what's the best part? The shockers feel authentic, not forced. Some surprisers seem like they're there to keep the reader interested, not to move the story forward. I don't know how in the world she did it, but Julie Kagawa moved the story forward with plot-twists while keeping me interested even more than previously. Absolutely stunning!

And I loved the unique spin that The Immortal Rules brings with our protagonist, Allie. She becomes the monster, the paranormal creature, instead of falling in love with one. It's so awesome! And Kagawa never veers away from the dark and monstrous Allie side. She has moments at times where you think she's going to go all out and become a ruthless killer. And while that's in her head, we get to see the last little bit of Allie's humanity left in her. I can't explain it, but it was just wonderful to finally get a fresh paranormal story. Move over Buffy, because Allison Sekemoto is a shining new heroine!

Overall, The Immortal Rules rocked my world and left me in complete and utter shock with its killer cliffhanger. But I loved every second of it. Dark and original, The Immortal Rules is a marvelous and phenomenal journey that you'll never want to end.

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