Scan barcode
kbug819's review against another edition
3.0
This one was a bit slower for me but am always intrigued by the endings.
deb_is_reading's review
5.0
4.5/5
Oh my gosh. That was so good. I just finished reading the epilogue a few minutes ago and I'm so tempted to pick up the next audio book soon.
What I liked:
- Sera's pov is fantastic. I never disliked her but when reading the first book I couldn't see why anyone would want to leave Cettie's pov for Sera's. I thought it was boring and dull. And after the obvious wrong choices she made in the previous book its great to see her growth in this book. Her arc has a lot of political moves and I really love that.
- Cettie...I've always loved Cettie. She's fantastic and one of my favorite "rags to riches" characters I've read. I get so anxious reading her POV because if anything ever happens to her I will riot. Anyways, she's so pure and fantastic and smart.
- At this point I trust....hmmm Lady Maren and Fitzroy. Why have you made me question myself, Mr Wheeler?
What I didn't like:
- the feelings I felt. :(
You might like this series if you enjoy:
- Victorian/Edwardian sensibilities
- Flying/floating cities in the sky
- magic systems that are kept hush hush
- slower paced. you wont get a lot of action.
- politically driven
- the relationships are so well done
Remember to start with Storm Glass (Harginger #1). I really really want to read the rest of the books in this universe ♥
Oh my gosh. That was so good. I just finished reading the epilogue a few minutes ago and I'm so tempted to pick up the next audio book soon.
What I liked:
- Sera's pov is fantastic. I never disliked her but when reading the first book I couldn't see why anyone would want to leave Cettie's pov for Sera's. I thought it was boring and dull. And after the obvious wrong choices she made in the previous book its great to see her growth in this book. Her arc has a lot of political moves and I really love that.
- Cettie...I've always loved Cettie. She's fantastic and one of my favorite "rags to riches" characters I've read. I get so anxious reading her POV because if anything ever happens to her I will riot. Anyways, she's so pure and fantastic and smart.
- At this point I trust....hmmm Lady Maren and Fitzroy. Why have you made me question myself, Mr Wheeler?
What I didn't like:
- the feelings I felt. :(
You might like this series if you enjoy:
- Victorian/Edwardian sensibilities
- Flying/floating cities in the sky
- magic systems that are kept hush hush
- slower paced. you wont get a lot of action.
- politically driven
- the relationships are so well done
Remember to start with Storm Glass (Harginger #1). I really really want to read the rest of the books in this universe ♥
goddesofwolves's review
4.0
Worth every minute
This book is great. The separation of the view points are done very well. I like how well paced the book is and the steady over layering of details and the ever shifting climate. Great book.
This book is great. The separation of the view points are done very well. I like how well paced the book is and the steady over layering of details and the ever shifting climate. Great book.
jaipal's review against another edition
4.0
This novel progresses the story, with a peace treaty / armistice been discussed between both sides of the war. A new family is introduced to the story and a new faction has been uncovered. This book provides more questions rather than answers but it provides a satisfying outcome. I can't wait for it to be wrapped up in the next novel.
ashleynoelle's review
4.0
This series is still solid. I'm completely invested in the characters and the introduction of a new world had me thirsting for more!
mwinslow's review against another edition
5.0
Iron Garland marks the midway point of the Harbinger series. In most series, this is where the story slows down and not much happens as the author slowly moves pieces into place but withholds any sort of resolution in order to keep the tension for the concluding installment(s). I am so glad to report that Iron Garland does not succumb to that problem. It is not a stand-alone novel in any sense of the word, but enough of the story lines are given a sense of completion that it feels like a novel and not just a part of something bigger. But at the same time, Iron Garland stands as a great middle chapter in a much larger epic.
A full review of the story line would reveal too many spoilers, but I can at least say that Iron Garland continues the stories of Cettie Saeed and Sera Fitzempress. As the Kingfountain novels loosely followed the Wars of the Roses, so these loosely follow the early reign of Victoria. But having that knowledge makes the story even more enjoyable: Wheeler does not slavishly copy history with the names changed, but uses it as a springboard to create a complex set of events leading to climactic final chapters (and additional books in the series). Iron Garland opens with a shocking death and doesn't let up until the final surprises in the last chapter. I got to the end and had to remind myself that the next installment is still months away.
But the book's strengths come not just from the action (which is well paced and frequent) but also from the various characters and their relationships. We get to see Cettie and Sera grow into even stronger protagonists, as they deal with one problem after another. Wheeler is one of the leading proponents of clean fiction, but that doesn't mean boring or flat characters: both Cettie and Sera face tough moral questions throughout and do not always respond like Polyanna. But it's still a morally complex story that gives the reader more than just an action buzz.
This may be a cliche, but I honestly am looking forward to the next installment, more than I have found myself doing in a long, long time. In general, I've gotten tired of the 'grimdark' storytelling that a lot of fantasy holds to these days, but Wheeler's fresh and exciting storytelling has given me renewed hope for the genre. We need more of this.
(Disclaimers: (1) I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for this review; (2) I was the book review editor on the original run of Wheeler's Deep Magic magazine, and so I have counted Jeff as a friend for more than a decade. My enthusiasm over this book comes not from any desire to help him get sales -- he has managed that well enough on his own -- but because this is one really good book!)
A full review of the story line would reveal too many spoilers, but I can at least say that Iron Garland continues the stories of Cettie Saeed and Sera Fitzempress. As the Kingfountain novels loosely followed the Wars of the Roses, so these loosely follow the early reign of Victoria. But having that knowledge makes the story even more enjoyable: Wheeler does not slavishly copy history with the names changed, but uses it as a springboard to create a complex set of events leading to climactic final chapters (and additional books in the series). Iron Garland opens with a shocking death and doesn't let up until the final surprises in the last chapter. I got to the end and had to remind myself that the next installment is still months away.
But the book's strengths come not just from the action (which is well paced and frequent) but also from the various characters and their relationships. We get to see Cettie and Sera grow into even stronger protagonists, as they deal with one problem after another. Wheeler is one of the leading proponents of clean fiction, but that doesn't mean boring or flat characters: both Cettie and Sera face tough moral questions throughout and do not always respond like Polyanna. But it's still a morally complex story that gives the reader more than just an action buzz.
This may be a cliche, but I honestly am looking forward to the next installment, more than I have found myself doing in a long, long time. In general, I've gotten tired of the 'grimdark' storytelling that a lot of fantasy holds to these days, but Wheeler's fresh and exciting storytelling has given me renewed hope for the genre. We need more of this.
(Disclaimers: (1) I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for this review; (2) I was the book review editor on the original run of Wheeler's Deep Magic magazine, and so I have counted Jeff as a friend for more than a decade. My enthusiasm over this book comes not from any desire to help him get sales -- he has managed that well enough on his own -- but because this is one really good book!)
thegeekybibliophile's review
4.0
Jeff Wheeler draws readers back into the magical world of Muirwood in the latest installment of the Harbinger series. Three years have passed, and the war with Kingfountain continues. Sera remains in isolated exile, yearning to be free and able to take her rightful place as Empress. Cettie fills her time as Keeper of Fog Willows, as well as making important (and secret) contributions to the war effort. Meanwhile, long kept secrets are at risk of being revealed, and a new threat lurks in the horizon.
Iron Garland kicks off with a shocking prologue that left me gasping and on the edge of my seat. Pretty impressive for five minutes worth of reading, right? Holy smokes! And you know what? It only got better from there.
I had no idea what to expect in this book, after the way book two ended, but I was surprised to see it begin three years later. Ordinarily, this is something that disappoints me—because I want to know every single thing that happens when I'm reading a series—but my disappointment barely had time to register before I was completely immersed in the book. It didn't take me long to decide the time skip was the perfect way to continue the story, as it gives readers a sense of urgency where the war is concerned. Great loss had already been suffered, and the need for the war to (finally) come to an end was omnipresent throughout, whether the war was actively being discussed or portrayed in any given scene.
Most of the characters went through changes, to some degree, but it was most gratifying to see how much Sera grew in wisdom during her imprisonment at Pavenham Sky. She knew what would give her the best shot at being released from exile, and made sure to make it seem as if she was humbled by her punishment. Clever girl!
I won't mention all the things that stood out to me about this book, because there are SO MANY... and it would spoil things for those who haven't read it. Suffice to say that there more than a few surprising twists (particularly the one in the epilogue!), new locations to discover, interesting romantic developments, and someone's unexpected (though welcome) change of heart.
This book was simply delightful to read, and I can't wait to read Prism Cloud (the next book in the series) because Iron Garland ended with some particularly chilling words from a certain lady, making it clear she had plans that didn't bode well for Cettie.
If you haven't started reading this series, I do hope you'll give it a try! I think it's safe to say that this book firmly cemented Harbinger as my favorite young adult fantasy series. Perhaps it will be yours, as well?
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of 47North via Netgalley.
Iron Garland kicks off with a shocking prologue that left me gasping and on the edge of my seat. Pretty impressive for five minutes worth of reading, right? Holy smokes! And you know what? It only got better from there.
I had no idea what to expect in this book, after the way book two ended, but I was surprised to see it begin three years later. Ordinarily, this is something that disappoints me—because I want to know every single thing that happens when I'm reading a series—but my disappointment barely had time to register before I was completely immersed in the book. It didn't take me long to decide the time skip was the perfect way to continue the story, as it gives readers a sense of urgency where the war is concerned. Great loss had already been suffered, and the need for the war to (finally) come to an end was omnipresent throughout, whether the war was actively being discussed or portrayed in any given scene.
Most of the characters went through changes, to some degree, but it was most gratifying to see how much Sera grew in wisdom during her imprisonment at Pavenham Sky. She knew what would give her the best shot at being released from exile, and made sure to make it seem as if she was humbled by her punishment. Clever girl!
I won't mention all the things that stood out to me about this book, because there are SO MANY... and it would spoil things for those who haven't read it. Suffice to say that there more than a few surprising twists (particularly the one in the epilogue!), new locations to discover, interesting romantic developments, and someone's unexpected (though welcome) change of heart.
This book was simply delightful to read, and I can't wait to read Prism Cloud (the next book in the series) because Iron Garland ended with some particularly chilling words from a certain lady, making it clear she had plans that didn't bode well for Cettie.
If you haven't started reading this series, I do hope you'll give it a try! I think it's safe to say that this book firmly cemented Harbinger as my favorite young adult fantasy series. Perhaps it will be yours, as well?
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of 47North via Netgalley.
karissakate's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good series! Wheeler is imaginative with his world, characters, and plot pieces.
mattmatt3409's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great. I need to know what happens to Cettie, Sera and Fitzroy and I need to know if that bitch Corinne finally gets what she deserves.