Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen

(The Iron Fey Series, #3)

Written by Julie Kagawa
Available NOW!
Published by Harlequin Teen
*A review copy was  provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary from Goodreads:

"My name is Meghan 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 stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back."

My Thoughts:

"Wow!!! I cannot express how much I love this series! The Iron Queen is my favorite installment so far. I had trouble putting this book down and endured a couple of sleep deprived nights as a result! The Iron Queen picked up right after Meghan and ...moreWow!!!  I cannot express how much I love this series!  The Iron Queen is my favorite installment so far.  I had trouble putting this book down and endured a couple of sleep deprived nights as a result!  The Iron Queen picked up right after Meghan and Ash were exiled from The Nevernever and banished to the mortal world.  Unfortunately for Meghan, it doesn't take long for the Iron Fey to seek her out.  Once again Meghan is a pawn in the conflict between the Courts.  With war on the horizon, Meghan must come to terms with who she is and face her destiny because this threat is the biggest that the Nevernever has ever faced and the stakes couldn't be higher!

First I must say that Julie Kagawa did an incredible job with the third installment of The Iron Fey Series.  With each book, the series seems to get better!  I love all of the characters and was happy to see all of my favorite ones return.  Meghan has changed so much from the first book.  Where she was once dependent on others to protect her, she now has the maturity and capability to take care of herself.  That doesn't mean that Ash and Puck stop looking out for her.  In fact, it's quite the opposite!  Puck was as fun and entertaining as ever.  I love the banter between him and Ash.  They claim to hate each other, but I believe that the friendship they once shared is reforming and neither is willing to admit it.  Ash.... Oh, I do so love him!  Without the Winter Court and Mab watching his every move, he was able to show his true feeling for Meghan.  It was nice seeing the "Ice Prince" melt away- revealing a man completely consumed with love!  Don't get me wrong, he doesn't go all soft and mushy.  He is still the fierce and honorable warrior he was, but now we get to see glimpses of vulnerability in him.  It's a good thing that he is a Winter Fey, because he definitely needs some ice to cool his extreme HOTNESS!  I was also happy to see my favorite feline Fey grace us with his presence again.  Grimalkin is aloof and clever, and he always seems to be at the right place at the right time.  You get the impression that he knows the solution to every problem that arises, but only chooses to reveal bits and pieces as necessary.  He has a superiority complex in a big way, but he is a cat after all!  Grim always leaves me wondering when he is going to pop in to lazily save the day!  There are also many new characters in this book.  I won't say any more about them because I don't want to spoil anything for you!

Julie Kagawa did a marvelous job creating a plot that is not only full of action, but swirling with romance.  The Iron Queen weaves a story of love, loss, sacrifice, and destiny.  I highly recommend this book and series to EVERYONE!  I am already pining for the next installment, The Iron Knight, which is expected to release in November of this year.  As you can probably tell from the title, this is Ash's story and I cannot wait to read it!