The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter

Book #2 in The Iron Fey series
Julie Kagawa
YA Fantasy / Romance

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

"What do you want of me, Meghan?" he asked, a low thread of anguish flickering below the surface. Tears blurred my vision, all the fear and heartache of the past few days rising to the surface.

"Just you," I whispered. "I just want you."

"You're kind of blind, you know?" Puck whispered, smiling to soften his words. "I wouldn't defy Oberon for just anyone. But, for you..." He leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. "I'd come back from the dead for you"

*INSERT COMPLETE SWOON HERE*

 

It was like this the ENTIRE book! I couldn't read The Iron Daughter fast enough as I devoured every word I was so engrossed. Sleeping was a burden and I took my Kindle everywhere with the hopes of stealing a few moments to keep reading. I actually finished the book while I was at a family reunion and I'm surprised people didn't look at me strange when I crumpled into a contented mess at the end, goofy grin and heavy sighing. LOVED this book and it definitely kept the intensity of the first book.

I loved how fast paced the book is. It's almost as if the author doesn't want to give you time enough to regain your breath before she throws you into the next scene. If I wasn't laughing over the sarcastic banter, I was swooning over the heartbreaking comments Puck and Ash were sharing with Meghan. How can one girl be so lucky?? This is one WICKED love triangle, full of heart and emotion and I never knew from one moment where my allegiance would lie. Well, I did - with Ash but man, he made it a little hard in this book for a while but I knew there had to be a reason. He may be a Winter Fey but there's nothing icy or frosty about his feelings for Meghan. There was such angst that it made me gasp and in places sob because I just wanted to jump into the story and fix it! Puck sure didn't make it easy as he turned up that cocky charm of his. Gosh he broke my heart too and there were times where I wish I wasn't reading YA but some steamy erotica novel because then Meghan could have both these delicious guys and there wouldn't be the constant tugging. I hated that someone, if not all of them, ran the risk of being hurt but that's what comes when the heart is on the line. Even though Puck was the safe choice... for me, nothing beats the forbidden. And Ash was definitely forbidden.

I loved Meghan in this story and I felt for her. So much to learn and have to deal with and I think she handled everything amazingly. Sure she had her moments but doesn't everyone? The conflict between who she would be with, what would she do about the Iron fey had me tossing back and forth and I'll admit, I screamed at her a few times. She's definitely a character I think will get stronger and stronger and everyone needs to watch out because she'll be a force to be reckoned with.

Did anyone else cheer at the end? Did anyone else have tears streaking down their cheeks over how amazing it was? I held my Kindle with baited breath to see what would happen. What would Ash choose? What would Meghan do? And how hard would it hit Puck? This is such a great series because I was fully invested into the lives and hearts of these characters and wanted nothing but  the best for them. I had someone tell me they stopped reading after this book because they didn't want anything to change and I can definitely see why. I was so tempted to do the same but I wanted more, needed more so I downloaded The Iron Queen as fast as I was able. This is a series I'm addicted to and I need to see it through to the glorious end!

I'd recommend this book to everyone. I found the writing refreshing, in the author just lets it all out. There's humor, romance and danger galore and it's easy to find yourself racing through the book because you're impatient to know it all. Grab yourself a copy of The Iron King as well - start from the beginning and don't be surprised if you're up all night, matchsticks propping up your eyes and your family is wondering what is wrong with you because you keep sighing. Great job Julie! Happy reading

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