A Queen In Her Own Right

"Ash, I've been through Arcadia, Tir Na Nog, 

the Briars, the Between, the Iron Realm, 

Machina's tower, and the killing fields of Nevernever. 

I don't think there's a place capable of freaking me out anymore."

--Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 358 pages
Release Date: January 25th, 2010
Find on Goodreads--The Iron Queen by Julie Kagaway

*Whew*...Wow, so another book of the Iron Fey series demolished in a day. I really have a knack for finding ways to spend my time productively if I do say so myself *brushes shoulder off*. The third book in Julie Kagawa's series was amazing! We begin with Meghan and Ash in the mortal realm with Meghan trying to return to her family. Obviously things do not go as planned and with the Iron Fey still on the loose and the false king continuing to threaten Meghan's life, the gang is thrust back into the Faery world...so much for banishments being forever, right? *Warning: This being book 3 and all, if you have not read it (WHICH YOU SHOULD GO DO SO RIGHT NOW) there are minor spoilers in the next paragraph...you've been warned. 

I. Love. This. Series. All my Iron Fey friends, I cannot say this enough. THANK YOU! And THANK YOU for telling me about it after all the books were already out because I could NOT have waited in between books. Seriously. My favorite part of the book?...Clearly watching Ash and Meghan become closer. Their bond and stubborn understanding of one another made my heart melt. Ash makes me swoon for a year of Sundays. Hot damn, where can I find me a faery ice prince?! Life just isn't fair, is it? Of course not, anyways! The end of The Iron Daughter with those two words spoken by Ash...you all know what I'm talking about...made my heart want to burst. In addition to that, the whole idea of becoming her knight and champion gave me chills. It is just so heartfelt and emotional and endearing all at once. I am old-fashioned. The thought of a man wanting to protect you and sacrifice himself all for you and your honor makes me require the assistance of those fainting couches...*swoon*. I would be lying if I said I didn't shed a few years. *Collective aw is appropriate about...now* The kneeling, the vow, the True Name, gah! I LOVE LOVE LOVED IT ALL! 

Ya know what else I loved? Whenever Meghan and Ash did get in a little tiff, they let each other cool off and (here's the shocker) actually talked rationally about it. I never had the feeling of rage where I wanted to strangle a book character because they didn't just speak the truth or say what is on their mind. Meghan and Ash always came back to each other to explain previous motives and once that happened the other person understood. Beautiful. Rational, mature conversations...let's be real that does not happen often with a lot of books. I never doubted them for a second. That was refreshing, too. There wasn't any wavering, Meghan came to terms pretty quickly as to her feelings with Puck and Ash kept the meltdown to a minimum. *sigh* Finally, some people that can listen and speak competently.

I was completely enthralled with Meghan's growth throughout the series. She went from quiet and weak and unsure of herself to this courageous, confident, force of a woman to be reckoned with. I think she is just awesome. She is a fantastic example of a strong female character and somebody I would want to be friends with. Kick-ass bitch, seriously (excuse my language). Her strength and courage and quick thinking drove the entire plot of the book and I just couldn't put this book down. She might be a top ten favorite female character of mine...thank goodness that Top Ten Tuesday was awhile ago, some people would have been booted. 

The entire book was phenomenal...right down to the ending. If I did not know there was a fourth book I would be ridiculously slightly more irritated but I know there is another book so I can breath a little more calmly for a moment...until I start the next book :) 

But in all seriousness, the ending was unbelievable. I laughed, I cried, I cursed the world for a few minutes, but if I'm being honest it was near perfect...and realistic :) This was an amazing semi-conclusion to the Iron Fey series and words cannot describe my excitement for Ash's story and adventure next....k, I'm gonna go read now <3

5/5 Stars <3