lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
This and other reviews can also be found on my blog : (un)Conventional Bookviews
*Review copy received from Netgally on August 7th 2012*
A solid five stars from me! Ethan Chase really is a tough guy, and the way he was brought back into fairy politics was very well done. Keirran was a surprise, and I was wondering for a little while if I should have known who he was; and I should have!
The Lost Prince is everything I dreamed it could be, and more! I’m sure we can all guess how things are going to play out – right? Well, things don’t really go according to Ethan’s plan at all, but there is a lot of action, new friendships, and a mystery that has to be taken care of. Ethan finds out a lot more both about himself, Meghan and the rest of his family than he thinks he want to know. And this time, he’s entangled into the world of the fey without any hope to escape – even if he’s not trying to escape now anyway…
*Review copy received from Netgally on August 7th 2012*
A solid five stars from me! Ethan Chase really is a tough guy, and the way he was brought back into fairy politics was very well done. Keirran was a surprise, and I was wondering for a little while if I should have known who he was; and I should have!
The Lost Prince is everything I dreamed it could be, and more! I’m sure we can all guess how things are going to play out – right? Well, things don’t really go according to Ethan’s plan at all, but there is a lot of action, new friendships, and a mystery that has to be taken care of. Ethan finds out a lot more both about himself, Meghan and the rest of his family than he thinks he want to know. And this time, he’s entangled into the world of the fey without any hope to escape – even if he’s not trying to escape now anyway…
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
3.0
Back to Never Never
It's been a while since I've been in Kagawa's world of the Fae. I received this book as an ARC some months ago, but for some reason, it never made it to the top of my pile; I kept putting it off. Why? Mmm, perhaps partly because the cover makes me feel a bit queasy and wrong, and partly because I was happy with the way Meaghan's story had ended in the main series, and wasn't sure I wanted to disrupt that in any way. But, I've now read it, and I have to say it was nice to be back. It was a very different experience this time with having a male protagonist, and while The Lost Prince may not have captured my attention like Meaghan's story did, there was still plenty to enjoy.
So this story follows Ethan Chase, who fans will recall is Meghan's younger brother, who at just four years old, was kidnapped by the Fae, thus beginning Meghan's entire quest to reclaim him in The Iron Fey series. Now all grown up (well, up to seventeen, anyway), Ethan is a fairly tormented character. He tries to portray a standoffish, Bad Boy attitude to his peers in an attempt to make them stay away, going so far as to deliberately make himself look unfriendly and intimidating. When in truth, he is actually quite a sweet boy just trying to hide the fact that he can see blasted faerie creatures everywhere he goes. He's found—through experience at the many different schools he's attended and/or been kicked out of—that it's best to just be a loner and keep his head down, rather than to risk people noticing his odd behaviour.
Yeah, well, so much for that. This wouldn't be much of a story if that little plan worked out, now would it? A certain half-fae character, a persistent human girl, and some unsettling new fae creatures are all it takes to set Ethan back on a trip to the very place he's been trying not to think about for thirteen years: The Never Never.
Kagawa's worldbuilding for this setting is always fun, and it was nice to be back with old friends such as Grimalkin, Meaghan, Ash and even Puck. Unbelievably, Kagawa has given us yet another new brand of Fae. As if the Iron Fae she created in the first series weren't fascinating enough. These new "ghost fey" will be familiar to a certain extent to those who read the end of the Iron Prince, but the idea has been built on and fleshed out.
The most disappointing aspect for me with this book was the total lack of engagement in the romance between Ethan and another character. I thought the secondary romance going on in the background and off page was more interesting than the MC's. That can't be right, surely? Also, having read Kagawa's new vampire/dystopian series, The Blood of Eden, in between these two connected series, I can safely say I prefer Kagawa when she's letting her dark side run free. This suddenly felt very young.
Would I recommend? For fans of the original series, yes, definitely.
3 Stars
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It's been a while since I've been in Kagawa's world of the Fae. I received this book as an ARC some months ago, but for some reason, it never made it to the top of my pile; I kept putting it off. Why? Mmm, perhaps partly because the cover makes me feel a bit queasy and wrong, and partly because I was happy with the way Meaghan's story had ended in the main series, and wasn't sure I wanted to disrupt that in any way. But, I've now read it, and I have to say it was nice to be back. It was a very different experience this time with having a male protagonist, and while The Lost Prince may not have captured my attention like Meaghan's story did, there was still plenty to enjoy.
So this story follows Ethan Chase, who fans will recall is Meghan's younger brother, who at just four years old, was kidnapped by the Fae, thus beginning Meghan's entire quest to reclaim him in The Iron Fey series. Now all grown up (well, up to seventeen, anyway), Ethan is a fairly tormented character. He tries to portray a standoffish, Bad Boy attitude to his peers in an attempt to make them stay away, going so far as to deliberately make himself look unfriendly and intimidating. When in truth, he is actually quite a sweet boy just trying to hide the fact that he can see blasted faerie creatures everywhere he goes. He's found—through experience at the many different schools he's attended and/or been kicked out of—that it's best to just be a loner and keep his head down, rather than to risk people noticing his odd behaviour.
Yeah, well, so much for that. This wouldn't be much of a story if that little plan worked out, now would it? A certain half-fae character, a persistent human girl, and some unsettling new fae creatures are all it takes to set Ethan back on a trip to the very place he's been trying not to think about for thirteen years: The Never Never.
Kagawa's worldbuilding for this setting is always fun, and it was nice to be back with old friends such as Grimalkin, Meaghan, Ash and even Puck. Unbelievably, Kagawa has given us yet another new brand of Fae. As if the Iron Fae she created in the first series weren't fascinating enough. These new "ghost fey" will be familiar to a certain extent to those who read the end of the Iron Prince, but the idea has been built on and fleshed out.
The most disappointing aspect for me with this book was the total lack of engagement in the romance between Ethan and another character. I thought the secondary romance going on in the background and off page was more interesting than the MC's. That can't be right, surely? Also, having read Kagawa's new vampire/dystopian series, The Blood of Eden, in between these two connected series, I can safely say I prefer Kagawa when she's letting her dark side run free. This suddenly felt very young.
Would I recommend? For fans of the original series, yes, definitely.
3 Stars
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
greta_vai's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mandyist's review against another edition
5.0
This review first appeared on Addicted to Media.
When Ethan Chase was kidnapped by the fey and taken to the Nevernever, it set in motion a series of events that would change the power dynamic in the Land of the Fey forever. In faery terms, that happened many decades ago but in Ethan’s life, it has only been 13 years. In that time, his sister Meghan has become the Iron Queen and as far as Ethan is concerned, he’d like to stay as far away from the manipulative, duplicitous fey as possible.
Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.
Ethan is a loner, protecting himself and those he loves by warding off the fey that follow him. Despite his best intentions to never get involved, and despite years of kali martial arts training, he is nevertheless sucked in when a young fey at his school goes missing. When Ethan and local school reporter Mackenzie St James are attacked, Ethan is forced to take Mackenzie into the Nevernever to save her life.
The Lost Prince is the fifth book in Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series and the first in The Call of the Forgotten series. I had a difficult relationship with The Iron Fey series and rated the books between 3 and 4.5 stars. I never could figure out whether I liked the series and was especially disappointed with The Iron Knight.
I only mention this because I absolutely loved The Lost Prince. I adored Ethan and totally understood why he would be so angry at Meghan. Yes, she is the Iron Queen, yes she is amazing but I’m pretty certain that people like that aren’t all that much fun to live with.
It was wonderful to meet Grimalkin the uncanny cat again and also good to see just how much Meghan and Ash had achieved. The Wyldwood was as treacherous and exciting as always and I simply loved being back in the Nevernever.
If there was anything I didn’t like about the book, it was Meghan and Ash’s son Kierran. That is not to say that I didn’t like him as a character and don’t like his place in the story but I don’t trust him and I suspect he is going to cause a big upset in the next book.
Ultimately, The Lost Prince is exciting, action-packed and fascinating. It was not slow-paced like the previous books in The Iron Fey series could be and there was less of the endless going around in circles in terms of love triangles.
Being that the third book in The Call of the Forgotten series is out in November 2015, I’m going to pick The Iron Traitor up immediately before moving on to The Iron Warrior. Considering that there have been three years between the first and third books, I am very happy with my decision to delay starting the series. Instant gratification, anyone?
One final word on the book cover. Every single book in The Iron Fey series had a gorgeous cover and The Lost Prince is no exception.
I give The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa a superb five out of five stars and would highly recommend to fans of Julie Kagawa and paranormal or fantasy young adult fiction. If you loved Twilight, Mortal Instruments or Divergent, you'll love this.
When Ethan Chase was kidnapped by the fey and taken to the Nevernever, it set in motion a series of events that would change the power dynamic in the Land of the Fey forever. In faery terms, that happened many decades ago but in Ethan’s life, it has only been 13 years. In that time, his sister Meghan has become the Iron Queen and as far as Ethan is concerned, he’d like to stay as far away from the manipulative, duplicitous fey as possible.
Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.
Ethan is a loner, protecting himself and those he loves by warding off the fey that follow him. Despite his best intentions to never get involved, and despite years of kali martial arts training, he is nevertheless sucked in when a young fey at his school goes missing. When Ethan and local school reporter Mackenzie St James are attacked, Ethan is forced to take Mackenzie into the Nevernever to save her life.
The Lost Prince is the fifth book in Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series and the first in The Call of the Forgotten series. I had a difficult relationship with The Iron Fey series and rated the books between 3 and 4.5 stars. I never could figure out whether I liked the series and was especially disappointed with The Iron Knight.
I only mention this because I absolutely loved The Lost Prince. I adored Ethan and totally understood why he would be so angry at Meghan. Yes, she is the Iron Queen, yes she is amazing but I’m pretty certain that people like that aren’t all that much fun to live with.
It was wonderful to meet Grimalkin the uncanny cat again and also good to see just how much Meghan and Ash had achieved. The Wyldwood was as treacherous and exciting as always and I simply loved being back in the Nevernever.
If there was anything I didn’t like about the book, it was Meghan and Ash’s son Kierran. That is not to say that I didn’t like him as a character and don’t like his place in the story but I don’t trust him and I suspect he is going to cause a big upset in the next book.
Ultimately, The Lost Prince is exciting, action-packed and fascinating. It was not slow-paced like the previous books in The Iron Fey series could be and there was less of the endless going around in circles in terms of love triangles.
Being that the third book in The Call of the Forgotten series is out in November 2015, I’m going to pick The Iron Traitor up immediately before moving on to The Iron Warrior. Considering that there have been three years between the first and third books, I am very happy with my decision to delay starting the series. Instant gratification, anyone?
One final word on the book cover. Every single book in The Iron Fey series had a gorgeous cover and The Lost Prince is no exception.
I give The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa a superb five out of five stars and would highly recommend to fans of Julie Kagawa and paranormal or fantasy young adult fiction. If you loved Twilight, Mortal Instruments or Divergent, you'll love this.
ellenpenleysmith's review against another edition
3.0
So here's the thing. I love Julie Kagawa. The original Iron Fey and The Immortal Rules are all stunners and have captured my heart utterly and completely. Much like The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.
What these two authors have in common besides that is that they both decided to do spin off ideas. The other similarity is that I did not like the spin off ideas nearly as much as the original books they spin off from.
The Lost Prince is about Meghan's younger brother, Ethan. Ethan is now older (and hotter) and has an absolute hatred for the fey. When he gets sucked into fae drama he ends up in the Iron realm and gets pulled into the drama of the Forgotten fey who we met in The Iron Knight if you've read that.
I just wanted to quickly say that you do not need to have read The Iron Fey series to understand The Lost Prince. Everything is re-hashed, and while that may make it a little bit boring for us old timers, it's perfectly understandable.
I'm not even going to bother talking about Kagawa's amazing writing skills. She's the bomb and that is all there is to say, really. The world comes to life when she writes and she writes enough for you to understand what she's conveying and to let your own imagination run wild.
Although it should be warned that this is an angsty novel. Ethan is full of the emotion and that made it a little bit more difficult for me to handle because it is always there. We do see the original trio: Puck, Ash, and Meghan and I was jumping for joy when they appeared on the page. However, they aren't really around for more than a few chapters and some small cameos and this novel just made me realise how much I missed them and how no spin off can satisfy my need for more of the original three amigos.
There are an additional two characters here, Kierran and Kenzie. I didn't particularly like either of them to be honest. Kenzie is the kind of popular girl who defies the cliche popular cheerleader type by being on the school's paper editor and ex-girlfriend to the school's jock. So... she's cliche popular.
Kierran... Sigh. Yes, old folks, Kierran is alive and well. Well, maybe not well because he's an idiot and the one similarity he has with his parents is the fact that he gets into trouble and has a unfortunate romance with a summer fey. But it wasn't just that. He was irritating. Period. There wasn't too much redeemable in him for me at this point.
There's not much to say really. I have all the faith in Kagawa to make things better and I'll read the sequel The Traitor Son even if it makes me want to stab the books after realising how the novella The Iron Prophecy and the #2 connect.
What these two authors have in common besides that is that they both decided to do spin off ideas. The other similarity is that I did not like the spin off ideas nearly as much as the original books they spin off from.
The Lost Prince is about Meghan's younger brother, Ethan. Ethan is now older (and hotter) and has an absolute hatred for the fey. When he gets sucked into fae drama he ends up in the Iron realm and gets pulled into the drama of the Forgotten fey who we met in The Iron Knight if you've read that.
I just wanted to quickly say that you do not need to have read The Iron Fey series to understand The Lost Prince. Everything is re-hashed, and while that may make it a little bit boring for us old timers, it's perfectly understandable.
I'm not even going to bother talking about Kagawa's amazing writing skills. She's the bomb and that is all there is to say, really. The world comes to life when she writes and she writes enough for you to understand what she's conveying and to let your own imagination run wild.
Although it should be warned that this is an angsty novel. Ethan is full of the emotion and that made it a little bit more difficult for me to handle because it is always there. We do see the original trio: Puck, Ash, and Meghan and I was jumping for joy when they appeared on the page. However, they aren't really around for more than a few chapters and some small cameos and this novel just made me realise how much I missed them and how no spin off can satisfy my need for more of the original three amigos.
There are an additional two characters here, Kierran and Kenzie. I didn't particularly like either of them to be honest. Kenzie is the kind of popular girl who defies the cliche popular cheerleader type by being on the school's paper editor and ex-girlfriend to the school's jock. So... she's cliche popular.
Kierran... Sigh. Yes, old folks, Kierran is alive and well. Well, maybe not well because he's an idiot and the one similarity he has with his parents is the fact that he gets into trouble and has a unfortunate romance with a summer fey. But it wasn't just that. He was irritating. Period. There wasn't too much redeemable in him for me at this point.
There's not much to say really. I have all the faith in Kagawa to make things better and I'll read the sequel The Traitor Son even if it makes me want to stab the books after realising how the novella The Iron Prophecy and the #2 connect.
sarahjanejudson's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmmm.....can't say much bc I don't want to give away spoilers....but I will say I was happy to see a glimpse of Puck in this one. I have a feeling the next will be a major page turner after the way this book set it up.
its_tara's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely a good addition - full review to come nearer release date!
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
Lets be straight, I don't LOVE this book. Its more a satisfying read in terms of I get to see my Megan & Ash and check up on them like the secret stalker I am...
All seriousness here, this book is basically those books all over again, which is why I do not do spin offs. I fan girl, and I'm selective over my fan-girl love. So when I am fan-girling I fan girl hard. This means although I appreciate the story has differences and it is a good story it shows me Ash and Megan but doesn't show me them enough.
I know I know, why are you wasting our time reading this book and then complaining its a spin off. Because in my excitement I bulk bought the books, and these two (book 1 and 2 in this series) were included and I must admit I just wanted the first book in the original series which I couldn't justify spending £2+ on a kindle book so I went bulk buy in paperback books. In my OCD I have to read them to 'add them to a collection' I can't explain much above, I have to read these books now I have them, and now I've started this series I will probably have to finish it. Unless it drives me more crazy because of how bad it is than my OCD...
Good news, this book doesn't suck. I really love Julie Kagawa's writing style. I cannot think of a book I have so far read that I haven't enjoyed. I'm pretty sure I'm onto double figures of the books I have read by her. So I think I have really found a great author and I love her. This doesn't effect my judgement on books and I think I may be more harsh as previously stated of my dislike of spin offs. When I read a question of how does this author write? I don't really know the answer, she uh writes well? Its pretty fast and very detailed you can or I can feel myself falling into this magical amazing world of queens and kings and I love the link she uses to classical Shakespeare to one of my favorite plays by him.
If you haven't read the original series which is 'The Iron fey #1' this really helps you understand who is who... Otherwise you probably won't get certain events happening and why to some people. And why the main character is so important... I really like Ethan, the whole grumpy bad boy routine he does at the start of the book intrigues me, as you are well aware Ethan was a sweet little boy who Meghan doted on and I think it is a little shock when you realize how different Ethan is from that little boy we all fell in love with and felt for.
I fell into this story just as quick as I had for Meghan's and I like the fact I actually like him more than I did Meghan. Although we do see Meghan and Ash they aren't in the picture for very long and neither is Puck which disappointed me, i thought he was in this book less than what I wanted. There isn't really anyone that replaces Puck for his humor or attitude in this story aside from the massive twist / except I clicked quickly as I sat there like who is Kierran??? And then the penny dropped, I was like oh it's so and so. So I like him Kierran is interesting and I'm enjoying the whole bravado Ethan and him have going on with their relationship and I'm looking forward to see how that goes.
I am also SO HAPPY the cat is back. He makes me happy to read a spin off, more of that Alice in wonderland like cat and I'm happy.
Will be continuing this story as it is good, the story is different and it does provide a different slant on the fae again. Although it is obvious who these scary new fae are if you paid attention in Ash and Meghan story... I think it is similar to their story though, a new fae coming about scaring the old one? hmm...
All seriousness here, this book is basically those books all over again, which is why I do not do spin offs. I fan girl, and I'm selective over my fan-girl love. So when I am fan-girling I fan girl hard. This means although I appreciate the story has differences and it is a good story it shows me Ash and Megan but doesn't show me them enough.
I know I know, why are you wasting our time reading this book and then complaining its a spin off. Because in my excitement I bulk bought the books, and these two (book 1 and 2 in this series) were included and I must admit I just wanted the first book in the original series which I couldn't justify spending £2+ on a kindle book so I went bulk buy in paperback books. In my OCD I have to read them to 'add them to a collection' I can't explain much above, I have to read these books now I have them, and now I've started this series I will probably have to finish it. Unless it drives me more crazy because of how bad it is than my OCD...
Good news, this book doesn't suck. I really love Julie Kagawa's writing style. I cannot think of a book I have so far read that I haven't enjoyed. I'm pretty sure I'm onto double figures of the books I have read by her. So I think I have really found a great author and I love her. This doesn't effect my judgement on books and I think I may be more harsh as previously stated of my dislike of spin offs. When I read a question of how does this author write? I don't really know the answer, she uh writes well? Its pretty fast and very detailed you can or I can feel myself falling into this magical amazing world of queens and kings and I love the link she uses to classical Shakespeare to one of my favorite plays by him.
If you haven't read the original series which is 'The Iron fey #1' this really helps you understand who is who... Otherwise you probably won't get certain events happening and why to some people. And why the main character is so important... I really like Ethan, the whole grumpy bad boy routine he does at the start of the book intrigues me, as you are well aware Ethan was a sweet little boy who Meghan doted on and I think it is a little shock when you realize how different Ethan is from that little boy we all fell in love with and felt for.
I fell into this story just as quick as I had for Meghan's and I like the fact I actually like him more than I did Meghan. Although we do see Meghan and Ash they aren't in the picture for very long and neither is Puck which disappointed me, i thought he was in this book less than what I wanted. There isn't really anyone that replaces Puck for his humor or attitude in this story aside from the massive twist / except I clicked quickly as I sat there like who is Kierran??? And then the penny dropped, I was like oh it's so and so. So I like him Kierran is interesting and I'm enjoying the whole bravado Ethan and him have going on with their relationship and I'm looking forward to see how that goes.
I am also SO HAPPY the cat is back. He makes me happy to read a spin off, more of that Alice in wonderland like cat and I'm happy.
Will be continuing this story as it is good, the story is different and it does provide a different slant on the fae again. Although it is obvious who these scary new fae are if you paid attention in Ash and Meghan story... I think it is similar to their story though, a new fae coming about scaring the old one? hmm...
oatieoats's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still not sure if I liked the book.I love the Iron Fey saga. But this book I felt it was too slow and I'm not sure I like the characters.
I cant believe Kenzie has leukimia, like is this the fault in our stars all over again? I think. The iron king, daughter and queen were awesome. They all made me cry and laugh a lot. Those books made me fall in love with the characters. But the Iron Knight and The lost prince was like an EHHHHH...I think Kenzie and Kierran's girl are pointless to the book. I dont feel as if they add anything to the story. I feel like their love stories are plain and quite ordinary. I expected so much more. And what's up with Ethan being always so moody and like his pmsing. I dont know...I feel as if Julie didnt honor the fey saga. I'm dissapointed.
I cant believe Kenzie has leukimia, like is this the fault in our stars all over again? I think. The iron king, daughter and queen were awesome. They all made me cry and laugh a lot. Those books made me fall in love with the characters. But the Iron Knight and The lost prince was like an EHHHHH...I think Kenzie and Kierran's girl are pointless to the book. I dont feel as if they add anything to the story. I feel like their love stories are plain and quite ordinary. I expected so much more. And what's up with Ethan being always so moody and like his pmsing. I dont know...I feel as if Julie didnt honor the fey saga. I'm dissapointed.
mrshaibach's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0