- Paperback:400 pages
- Publisher:Harlequin; Original edition (October 25, 2011)
- ISBN-10: 0373210361
- Source: Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.
*Spoiler Warning: This is the fourth book in a series. If you have not read the prior books, please do not proceed.*
Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, is forced to deal with his past actions in Julie Kagawa’s fourth book of this series. Sworn to join Meghan in the Iron Kingdom, unable to enter due to his vulnerability to iron, Ash must travel to the End of The World to find a means of becoming human. A journey for mortality, all for the sake of love.
The journey is a challenging one, Ash must embrace the wrongs he has committed in the past. Upon the end of the journey, he has tough decision to make: a mortal life with Meghan or continue his mortal life. Is they love they share worth giving up his immortality?
In The Iron Knight, the author allows the reader to see a side of Ash hidden until now. Written from Ash’s point of view, his feelings, his insecurities, his fears, are all out on display. This vulnerability makes Ash a more likeable and sympathetic character. The reader is permitted to experience the love Ash has for Meghan, willing to ris his immortality to be reunited with her. It was also rewarding to see how much her very presence changed him, molded him into a new individual. Since it is through Ash’s eyes that the reader experiences the story, The Iron Knight does seem to have a darker feel that the previous books. Ash’s character development is clearly one of the many rewarding things about this book.
Of course, I enjoyed the return of secondary characters like Puck, Grimalkin and The Big Bad Wolf. They aid Ash in his journey to become human. This was quite the interesting journey, Ash forced to trust characters he’d been unable to trust before. The journey they make together is not only physically taxing and dangerous, but emotionally tolling as well.
Ultimately, The Iron Knight is a rewarding conclusion to such and enjoyable series. All the ends weren’t wrapped up neatly but I feel that many of my questions that persisted through the series have been answered.
The Iron Knight and the previous books aren’t typically the types of books I enjoy reading. That said, Julie Kagawa has presented a world that I couldn’t help but enter and become immersed in, a series that I don’t regret reading. While this series has come to an end, I look forward to more from the author. She’s done what many an author has attempted, but few have succeeded: convinced me to try a series outside of my comfort zone. Thank you, Julie! Highly recommended.
To close, for all you readers yet unable to get your hands on a copy of The Iron Knight, I’m happy to present you with an exclusive excerpt. Tomorrow, visit Alexia’s Books and Such for yet another exclusive excerpt!
That part of my life is done. My loyalty-and my heart-belongs to another queen now. I promised I’d find a way for us to be together. I intend to keep that promise. Even if it means trekking through a sprawling, deadly marsh in search of a rumor. Even if it means putting up with my fiercest and most annoying rival, Robin Goodfellow, who-despite all his attempts to hide it-is in love with my queen as well.
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