Review: The Iron Queen

The Iron Queen

Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Pages: 384

Source: Different Area Codes Book Tours

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

My name is Meaghan 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 stay by my side. Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

I did not think there was anyway Julie Kagawa could top the previous book in the Iron Fey series, but Iron Queen blew me away and exceeded all expectations I had. Iron Queen was, by far, the best book in the entire Iron Fey series!

I am going to start off by saying that this review is going to be spoiler free so I am going to stay away from anything plot related because I am worried any little thing I say could be spoilery and I do not want to ruin this book for anyone.

This book was beyond awesome. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I sat down to read Iron Queen and could not stop reading it until I had finished reading the book. I forgot the enormous pile of homework I should have been doing and was sucked completely into the story of Iron Queen.

Julie Kagawa has written a fabulous third novel. All the favorite characters are back and put through so many twists and turns. The plot was amazing. Reading this book for me was like watching an amazing movie. I could literally picture every scene playing out in my head. There was great action scene too, of some epic portions. The plot had so many twists and turns I had no idea what was going to happen next. Julie Kagawa had me constantly on my toes, unsure what was going to happen to Meaghan, Ash and Puck next.

One of my favorite things about this third book in the Iron Fey series is that you can truly see how much each of the characters has grown. Meaghan has progressed so much as a character since the frighten, naïve girl with no knowledge of the Fey realm into this knowledgeable, strong, driven character. I loved seeing her come into her own and taking control. Ash and Puck have also grown as characters and I loved their growth and its amazing to see where Julie Kagawa has taken all these characters from Iron King to now in the Iron Queen

I really do not know how to describe this book. Julie Kagawa blew me away. I though the Iron Daughter was emotional rollercoaster, but it was nothing compared to this book. I was literally all over the place with emotion. I’m just going to say, I did cry during this book. And the ending. The ending was everything I expected from Julie Kagawa, full blown, emotion packed ending that left me dying for more.

The ending left me desperately waiting for Iron Knight. I am so glad this is not the final book and that the story is going to continue because it just needs too. I do not want to leave this fabulous world that Julie Kagawa has created. Iron Knight needs to be out now because that ending, in my opinion, was so much worse than Iron Daughter, and that had me driven mad that I could read the next one immediately.

Iron Queen was a beautiful masterpiece of a book. Truly wonderful. I really have no other words to describe it. It was simply, and purely, amazing.

Review: Falling Under

Falling Under

Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library

Release Date: March 1, 2011

Pages: 256           

Source: Different Area Codes Book Tours

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Falling Under was a GREAT book. I really loved it. I devoured it in one straight sitting, unable to go to sleep until I finished it. Now where to start…

I just want to start by saying I loved this book, so this review might be a bit long and gushy. The story was great and had me intrigued the whole way through. Gwen Hayes was able to keep the reader engaged in the mystery of Haden without making it feel old. Instead, I kept wanting to know more about Haden, who is he? What is he? I loved how Gwen unraveled his mystery. And let me tell you I did not expect anything that Gwen Hayes revealed about Haden. I was fully intrigued. The plot definitely kept me turning pages. And after the mystery of Haden was unraveled, the plot continued, stronger then ever, and I don’t want to give anything away, but it was great. The whole last section of the book I did not see coming AT ALL! I love when a book can take me on a ride and through unexpected turns at me, and this book accomplished this.

One of my favorite things about this book was the characters. Theia was a great protagonist. She was fully developed and felt like a normal teenage girl, albeit with an extremely over protective father (not something too uncommon). And one thing I loved about Theia was she wasn’t a stupid, unthinking protagonist. She realizes that Haden isn’t who he seems and realizes he is dangerous and acknowledges this. She was a complex character, confused by what is going on in her life and her own feelings. And that brings us to Haden. Wow. Haden. What a hot, mysterious, dark, complex character. I loved him. I felt the same way Theia did towards him, confused and a bit creeped out by him but undeniable attracted by his mystery. He is truly the goth Mr. Darcy, and I wouldn’t mind having one appear in my dreams like he does, even if he is not all good for me (or Theia for that matter). Theia and Haden also had great, great chemistry. While he admitted he wasn't good for Theia, you still wanted them together, no matter what. Theia and Haden definitely have some of the best chemistry I've read recently. 

Not only did I love Theia and Haden, the two main characters, but the supporting characters were great too. I really loved Theia’s two best friends Donny and Amelia. They were great characters and great friends to Theia. I loved that they were fully developed unlike in other books where the friends are just there to give advice to the main characters. Varnie and Gabe were also two very great secondary characters. The secondary characters are great and prove to be important to the plot and provide great scenes.

Gwen Hayes has written a great book. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this but, truly, it was great. The writing was beautiful and lyrical. Hayes’ descriptions were rich with beautiful details, fully establishing the scenes, characters and emotions. I loved the little bits of humor Hayes’ included in the story too. I laughed so hard at the little Twilight reference that my roommate though something was wrong. I also really loved the glimpses the reader has into Haden's mind at times. While the book is primarily told from Theia's point of view, these glimpses at Haden's thoughts enhanced his mystery and added, what I felt were little easter eggs to the action occurring. The writing fit the book so well, beautiful, haunting and lyrical. I loved it. 

Falling Under was one of those books that I desperately wanted a sequel to. Thankfully there will be a sequel because I want more, more, more of Theia and Haden and all the other characters. I cannot wait to return back to the world Gwen Hayes has created. The sequel cannot come soon enough.

While this book is not out until March, so far away, and I already read it, I will be anxiously awaiting it’s release. I was truly enchanted by this story. It was something new, fresh, clever and lovely. Gwen Hayes has written one of my new favorite books for 2011 and the year hasn’t even started yet. I will definitely be picking up a finished copy of this fabulous book come March.