nikkadel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eversaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
msglam's review against another edition
5.0
What didn't I love about this book????? Kagawa's writing style is very easy to follow. I was engrossed from the very first chapter. There's humor (gotta love Puck), romance, drama, and plenty of action. The characters are well developed but I can't wait to see what Kagawa does with them in the next book. In this book you as the reader journey along with Megan into the Never Never and discover a world of magic and mystery while Megan begans to learn who she is and what she is made of. This book kept my attention from page 1 and left me craving more. [b:The Iron King|6644117|The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1)|Julie Kagawa|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258467056s/6644117.jpg|6838626]
becs_l's review against another edition
3.0
A little disappointed especially after all the good reviews this book was getting.
The Iron King uses a lot characters and settings from A Midsummer Night’s Dream as we get to meet characters such as Puck, Titania and Oberon. Not being a Shakespeare expert (or fan actually), I don't know much about this particular play and I'm still none the wiser. It was not that this book didn't tell me the story, and I didn't expect it too, but I still don't know that much about these characters.
The main thing that bought this book down was, to be blunt, it was flat which made it cheesy. The characters were very 2D with not enough background or personality to flesh them out. This especially was the case for Meghan, the lead character. I want to be on the same level as the lead, especially a female one, where I feel as though I can slip right into their shoes. However by the end of this book, if Meghan dies, to be honest, I really couldn't care less. She didn't feel human enough. Ok ... she is half fey but that doesn't make any difference. Even leading aliens need a helping of some human traits unless they are a really tragic character. Meghan accepts things too quickly, jumps in too recklessly and because we never really get inside her head you are left running to keep up ... shouting WHY?
This is the same for both Puck and Ash. I didn't really care. Ho hum... he's hurt ...that's nice.
The relationship between Ash and Meghan... what relationship? Ok there are a few one liners *emphasis on the one line* that Meghan likes Ash in more that "let's just be friends". But, I repeat, I don't know anything about this guy and nor, by the sounds of it, does Meghan. She seems to fall in love with his looks which I don't like. Yes they have to be good looking but personality is so much more important. AND THE NEXT YOU KNOW THEIR KISSING AND SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO WORK THINGS OUT!! I’ll calm down. If Meghan did see more in him than just looks then maybe it would be nice for her to explain it a little. This book is first person after all.
Sorry but to use an example say like in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead *minor spoiler for those who have not read it*. Rose and Dimitri didn't get to the stage of "trying to work things out" until near the end of book 3. We knew both of the characters by the end of book 1 and this scene really makes you mutter "about time" with utter joy. In The Iron King, I didn't not feel that; it was too soon.
Plot is very important as well but without good characters there is not much point. I kind of liked the story, even if it wasn't very original. Yes it is hard these days so I'm not going to criticize. I can see that Kagawa wanted to have a fast paced action packed story and congratulations she seriously managed to pull it off. One of the main reasons that I didn't throw the book down due to annoying lead was because none of the scenes got excessively dull. However this fast pace was too fast which left no room for characterisation which leads back to point one.
The best part of the book was the setting and the fey. The Nevernever (not sure about the name but now I'm just being picky) is the sort of place I look for in a fantasy. I also like the concept of the Iron Fey which was definitely new to me. No interest in the characters but the concept was really good; as was the politics between the Seelie and Unseelie courts (I don't know how far that was developed in Midsummer night's dream).
This book had potential but it fell short because of the characters. The story was good, although maybe a few too many diversions in places, and the setting and the word were great. If this book was slightly longer or, if possible split into two books as more debuts need to be about 300 or so pages, it could be a lot better as it gives more time for the author to pad it out. I'm aware it is her debut but I'm afraid, for me, that's not an excuse as I have read amazing debuts where I fall in love with the characters.
The story has intrigued me so I will be carrying on with the series hoping that Julie Kagawa will improve her writing as she writes more but for now we'll just have to wait and see.
The Iron King uses a lot characters and settings from A Midsummer Night’s Dream as we get to meet characters such as Puck, Titania and Oberon. Not being a Shakespeare expert (or fan actually), I don't know much about this particular play and I'm still none the wiser. It was not that this book didn't tell me the story, and I didn't expect it too, but I still don't know that much about these characters.
The main thing that bought this book down was, to be blunt, it was flat which made it cheesy. The characters were very 2D with not enough background or personality to flesh them out. This especially was the case for Meghan, the lead character. I want to be on the same level as the lead, especially a female one, where I feel as though I can slip right into their shoes. However by the end of this book, if Meghan dies, to be honest, I really couldn't care less. She didn't feel human enough. Ok ... she is half fey but that doesn't make any difference. Even leading aliens need a helping of some human traits unless they are a really tragic character. Meghan accepts things too quickly, jumps in too recklessly and because we never really get inside her head you are left running to keep up ... shouting WHY?
This is the same for both Puck and Ash. I didn't really care. Ho hum... he's hurt ...that's nice.
The relationship between Ash and Meghan... what relationship? Ok there are a few one liners *emphasis on the one line* that Meghan likes Ash in more that "let's just be friends". But, I repeat, I don't know anything about this guy and nor, by the sounds of it, does Meghan. She seems to fall in love with his looks which I don't like. Yes they have to be good looking but personality is so much more important. AND THE NEXT YOU KNOW THEIR KISSING AND SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO WORK THINGS OUT!! I’ll calm down. If Meghan did see more in him than just looks then maybe it would be nice for her to explain it a little. This book is first person after all.
Sorry but to use an example say like in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead *minor spoiler for those who have not read it*. Rose and Dimitri didn't get to the stage of "trying to work things out" until near the end of book 3. We knew both of the characters by the end of book 1 and this scene really makes you mutter "about time" with utter joy. In The Iron King, I didn't not feel that; it was too soon.
Plot is very important as well but without good characters there is not much point. I kind of liked the story, even if it wasn't very original. Yes it is hard these days so I'm not going to criticize. I can see that Kagawa wanted to have a fast paced action packed story and congratulations she seriously managed to pull it off. One of the main reasons that I didn't throw the book down due to annoying lead was because none of the scenes got excessively dull. However this fast pace was too fast which left no room for characterisation which leads back to point one.
The best part of the book was the setting and the fey. The Nevernever (not sure about the name but now I'm just being picky) is the sort of place I look for in a fantasy. I also like the concept of the Iron Fey which was definitely new to me. No interest in the characters but the concept was really good; as was the politics between the Seelie and Unseelie courts (I don't know how far that was developed in Midsummer night's dream).
This book had potential but it fell short because of the characters. The story was good, although maybe a few too many diversions in places, and the setting and the word were great. If this book was slightly longer or, if possible split into two books as more debuts need to be about 300 or so pages, it could be a lot better as it gives more time for the author to pad it out. I'm aware it is her debut but I'm afraid, for me, that's not an excuse as I have read amazing debuts where I fall in love with the characters.
The story has intrigued me so I will be carrying on with the series hoping that Julie Kagawa will improve her writing as she writes more but for now we'll just have to wait and see.
cnewby927's review against another edition
4.0
So after hearing many rave reviews about this series... I have decided to give it a try.
Once I started, i could not put this book down. And i can't really say yet why that is. I enjoyed the characters, Meghan Chase is interesting but somewhat dull at points. Puck is great, I liked his pranks and his protectiveness of Meghan. I don't know what to think of Ash yet. I think he will turn into someone I want to read more about but right now I don't know.
Once Meghan and Puck get to Nevernever, I loved reading about the encounters they had. I enjoyed learning about that world and I'm curious to learn more.
The only thing that I'm not sure about is Meghan and Ash together. This book being in Meghan's perspective, I know that she finds Ash to be attractive. But other than one part, he's not really nice to her ever and then suddenly he's kissing her and protecting her. How much of this is because of their bargain? Are his feelings real at all?
Well on to book 2!
Once I started, i could not put this book down. And i can't really say yet why that is. I enjoyed the characters, Meghan Chase is interesting but somewhat dull at points. Puck is great, I liked his pranks and his protectiveness of Meghan. I don't know what to think of Ash yet. I think he will turn into someone I want to read more about but right now I don't know.
Once Meghan and Puck get to Nevernever, I loved reading about the encounters they had. I enjoyed learning about that world and I'm curious to learn more.
The only thing that I'm not sure about is Meghan and Ash together. This book being in Meghan's perspective, I know that she finds Ash to be attractive. But other than one part, he's not really nice to her ever and then suddenly he's kissing her and protecting her. How much of this is because of their bargain? Are his feelings real at all?
Well on to book 2!
bibblanmadde's review against another edition
4.0
Har hört så mycket bra om den har serien så blev lite besviken när boken var utläst. Boken påminde väldigt mycket om Glaspärleresan och jag satt hela tiden att tänkte på det. Tycker dock om att Meghan har tydligt syfte och hon aldrig avviker ifrån det. Dock föll jag aldrig riktigt för karaktärerna och tyckte alla var lite smått tråkiga, den enda som jag faktiskt tyckte om var Puck men han var tyvärr inte med i hela boken.
cassreadsforever's review against another edition
3.0
3.75/5 Stars
*No spoiler reviews by me*
Premise: Meghan Chase is a teen girl who doesn't fit in and mysteriously lost her father at a young age. What she doesn't know is that her best friend is not who he says he is. When her brother, Ethan, is switched with a changeling, Meghan Chase is lured into a world she never could have imagined. A world of Fey awaits her and she just might be more connected to it than she thought she was.
There is a lot of world-building in the first book and lots of creatures introduced. I can see how some people would roll their eyes at a talking cat at first, but HANG IN THERE! It gets so much better and I love the cat even though I rolled my eyes at first. There are twists that will have you gasping and I have questions I need to be answered in the second book. This is one of those series that gets better as it goes and I haven't even read the second book yet.
Overall, UNDERRATED! Where is the fandom for this book?! Someone lead me to it!
*No spoiler reviews by me*
Premise: Meghan Chase is a teen girl who doesn't fit in and mysteriously lost her father at a young age. What she doesn't know is that her best friend is not who he says he is. When her brother, Ethan, is switched with a changeling, Meghan Chase is lured into a world she never could have imagined. A world of Fey awaits her and she just might be more connected to it than she thought she was.
There is a lot of world-building in the first book and lots of creatures introduced. I can see how some people would roll their eyes at a talking cat at first, but HANG IN THERE! It gets so much better and I love the cat even though I rolled my eyes at first. There are twists that will have you gasping and I have questions I need to be answered in the second book. This is one of those series that gets better as it goes and I haven't even read the second book yet.
Overall, UNDERRATED! Where is the fandom for this book?! Someone lead me to it!
troglodata's review against another edition
2.0
Picked this up kind of expecting it to be a decent/similar read to follow up Sarah Maas's Glass Throne series. That was a miscalculation. The main character, Meghan, falls pretty short of a badass--granted, she's a teenager suffering from some neglect at home and bullying at school, but she remains very washed-out throughout the story. She's a character that things happen to; she seldom makes things happen. Moreover, her reactions are so much more emotional than I prefer, rather than logical--but that is definitely a personal preference. The little love story left a bad taste in my mouth, as well, in that it brushed too close to a Twilight kind of thing for my liking. Still, I can see where a younger audience would enjoy a lot about it. Something about it reminded me strongly of Diane Duane's Young Wizards series and China Mieville's Un Lun Dun, with a faerie twist.
bungleboo's review against another edition
4.0
I rather enjoyed The Iron King and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series. What I like about The Iron King is that Kagawa takes the typical Summer and Winter courts along with an element of Shakespeare and adds a new dimention with her introuduction with the Iron Court.
I loved the characters!! Of course, Meghan was scared at times, who wouldn't be with what she goes through but she is also a girl who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to stand up for herself and what she believes in. And then we have the boys, well I should say men when we concider their age. Puck and Ash!! I now understand the whole Team Puck vs Team Ash but I'm not sure I have read enough to make my mind up yet. That said both characters are compelling and I look forward to learning more about each of them.
I really like that Kagawa's writing style is easy and accessible, It gets right to the point with out stumbling over what she wants to say. Although at times I wondered if her writing is a little too simple.
I've gone for 3.5 stars because I think there is room for the characters and story to grow and I can only see this series getting better!!
I loved the characters!! Of course, Meghan was scared at times, who wouldn't be with what she goes through but she is also a girl who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to stand up for herself and what she believes in. And then we have the boys, well I should say men when we concider their age. Puck and Ash!! I now understand the whole Team Puck vs Team Ash but I'm not sure I have read enough to make my mind up yet. That said both characters are compelling and I look forward to learning more about each of them.
I really like that Kagawa's writing style is easy and accessible, It gets right to the point with out stumbling over what she wants to say. Although at times I wondered if her writing is a little too simple.
I've gone for 3.5 stars because I think there is room for the characters and story to grow and I can only see this series getting better!!