The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4)

So, now we\’re on the fourth and last book of the series. And this time, instead of Meghan telling the story, it\’s Ash. Meghan doesn\’t actually come into it much. I guess the author found that difficult to do, what with Meghan being in the Iron Kingdom and Ash being forbidden to go there as it will kill him. Objecting to this state of affairs, Ash is determined to do the impossible. So, accompanied by Puck, Grim and eventually a few others, Ash sets off for the End of the World to gain a soul. Yeah, going to the End of the World to earn a soul sounds really corny, but it actually, to my surprise, works. It is very well done and cleverer than I thought possible. It is a bit strange to hear the story from a perspective other than Meghan\’s, but Ash is an interesting narrator, and I didn\’t mourn Meghan\’s absence over-much. Because, let\’s face it, the interaction between Ash and Puck is one of the things that make this series great. And there is a lot of that here.

It is always semi sad to come to the end of a series. To leave behind characters that you have become attached to and a world that you have immersed yourself in. This is the final book in the Iron Fey Series and it did a very good job of tying everything up. I will be with her again, or I will die. There arent any other options This is Ashs journey to find a way to gain a soul so that he can survive the Iron Realm and stand beside the woman he loves. But what must a Faery do to be able to host a soul. The trials will be difficult and heartbreaking. I initially loved seeing the world from Ashs perspective but I came to really miss Meghan in the story. We get a few glimpses of her but she is missing from the story until the end, for good reasons, but I still missed her. Ash must also come to terms with the love that he lost so many years ago and his feud with Robin Goodfellow. I really loved Puck in this story. It is clear that Puck is very much in love with Meghan still but he puts everything on the line to help both Meghan and Ash so they have a chance at happiness. We also get to see the loss of Ariella from his side. You don\’t think I regret what I did, every single day? You lost Ariella, but I lost you both! Believe it or not, I was kind of a mess too, Ash. It got to a point where I actually looked forward to our random duels, because that was the only time I could talk to you. When you were freaking trying to kill me! Grimalkin of coarse has the key to finding a way to become mortal and will be going along for the journey. He in his great Cat fashion has a wonderful way of looking at the situation. It is often entertaining and slightly frustrating for the other characters involved. The journey is also joined by the big bad wolf of tales. I swear there must be like some secret code. All mysterious ancient temples must have a minimum of at least seven thousand steps to the front door. It is a journey of seven thousand steps or more. There are a few parts of the story that dragged a little for my and that was mostly due to the emotional angst that Ash was feeling. After being so sure of Meghan in The Iron Queen it was difficult to watch him waver. But in the end there will be no doubt as to who he is meant to be with. I honestly only have a few small issues with the story but they are all hinged on wanting to see more of Megan and Ash together. This Journey has come to an end and it was a great ride. I look forward to reading the other series set in this world in the future about Ethan and get a peek at Meghan and Ash in the future. It was a beautiful tale with sacrifices, pain, hope and a love so strong it would go to the end of the world.

This book was so different from the rest in the series because I was in Prince Ash\’s head for the duration. I will say that Kagawa does a great job of letting you know that you are with another character because the writing style was distinctive and Ash doesn\’t think like Meghan does so the story feels altered. It will be hard for me to review this the way that I would like to simply for spoiler\’s sake. The Good I love Ash. Getting to see how he ticks was like opening my presents on Christmas morning. He is not all unicorns and glitter, but would I want him to be? Of course not. He has some major regrets, and he should as he has done some terrible things in his lifetime. He has doubts like I do. He constantly questions everything and is deeply thinking about how useful emotions are as well as which path is really the best for him. In short, it was a very realistic journey into his psyche. Did I get upset with him some while reading? Yes. Did I wince at some of the things I learned. Yes. In the end though, I am glad for every revelation, every doubt, and every obstacle that led to the conclusion of this book. I also loved a new character that was introduced in this one. I don\’t want to say a whole lot about him and give too much away. He was the perfect off-set of Grimalkin and their banter was on par with Ash and Puck\’s. Speaking of, Puck on the ride with Ash for the sake of Meghan\’s happiness was something that had my skin tingling. I loved it. These two are so good together and watching their rivalry through the books has been a tough process when I want nothing more than them to be the best of buds. From the beginning with Puck antagonizing the witch (that I am assuming is the Baba Yaga), to the end with Puck going his separate way because he\’s angered Oberon again, I thoroughly enjoyed their deep-seated friendship even if they don\’t always see it themselves. It\’s hard to say everything that I really loved about this book without too many spoilers. This was a journey for Ash so that he could be with his love again. It entailed most things that journeys do…battles, hard decisions, good traveling companions, and revelations. Kagawa\’s writing was beautifully done. There were times when I had no idea how this was going to end up, but she pulled it off perfectly. The Bad There were slow moving parts as there often is in a book about a quest. I also wasn\’t too sure how I felt about the conflict that was added into this book. If you have read this one, you will know what I am talking about. In the end, I am glad it was done the way that it was, but I admit that I wasn\’t so sure how I felt about it at first. The Romance Since Meghan and Ash are not together in this one the romance is really not a physical aspect so much as one that is in the mind keeping Ash going. It is more about what Ash really wants and what he is willing to do to achieve it. There are some small romantic scenes though. Conclusion This was a fantastic conclusion to this series. I feel like I loved it more book by book. Kagawa knows how to get you fully invested into her characters and make you really want to root for them. Especially the side characters which I love more than I think any other series I\’ve read. Recommended for anyone that enjoys paranormal reads.

I do not wish to hide this entire review under a spoiler tag so please use this as a warning that if you have not yet read the earlier books in this series, please continue with caution. And secondly, why have you not yet read the previous books in this series? I strongly suggest that you do… quickly! There was no better way to end this series than by letting us inside the head of Ash as he faces his hardest challenges yet. As he fights his way through the Nevernever to reach the End of the World as he attempts to earn his soul and become human so that he can be with Meghan in the Iron realm. There is hardly any Meghan in this story but I really didn\’t find myself missing her. We know her story and the decisions she has made. This is all about Ash, his past, his present and his future. The same cast of characters are along for the adventure… Ash, Puck, Grimalkin, a new face and an old one also come along for the ride. There are a lot of trials and tribulations that are faced along the way and not everybody makes it out alive… The world building has continued to be exceptional in this series. I know quite a bit is pulled from previous fey stories and legends but Kagawa has blended the past and future seamlessly. Puck is his same old self, funny, caring and loyal. I have never hidden my love for Puck and why would I want to? He is the most amazing character and as much as I have also come to love Ash I do feel for Puck. He has appeared to have accepted Meghan\’s decision to be with Ash but you can see there is still hurt there. Obviously with Puck being Puck I think he will be able to move on, of course at his age this can not be the first time he has been in love and will not be the last. It is obvious that he loves Ash as a friend just as much as he loves Meghan and he does want them to be happy. I loved that we were able to see Puck and Ash\’s relationship evolve into something new. The vow that Ash made to kill Puck long ago was made at a moment of anger and pain. It has always been apparent that his heart was never in the task. If Ash really wanted Puck dead I believe it would have been taken care of a long time ago. It was nice to see them working through their problems. In order to know what it is to become human, Ash must face his past. The walls that he has built up over his long life, the damage he has done to others around him, the death he has caused, the heartache… He has not always been a very nice guy. He also feels what it will be like to have a human body. His strength and agility will disappear. He will be able to be at Meghan\’s side but at what cost? He is her Knight and has vowed to protect her forever. When you are mortal the days will add up, unlike when you are fey and time does not matter. The choice is difficult and it is one that can not be changed once made. What will he choose in the end? I have read a few stories here and there that Kagawa had intended the Iron Fey series to be just the three books. I would have gone insane if it would have ended after The Iron Queen. To be honest it would have been hard for me to pick up anything else she wrote because I would have felt there was an empty space that needed filled. I truly say that The Iron Knight has filled that empty space and I am very happy with the way this series has ended. Now with that said, there is a spin off series starting very soon, The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten. There is one final novella that I must read before I can start The Lost Prince but I am very excited to see where this world will be taking me next… \”There is nothing more terrible than a spurned faery queen, particularly if you defy her a second time. I escaped the Winter Court with my life intact, but just barely, and I won\’t be returning any time soon. My loyalty – and my heart – belongs to another queen now.\” Christine Rainy Day Reads

\”I\’m almost there. Wait for me just a little bit longer. \” I honestly don\’t even know where to begin with this review and I don\’t even think I could write a review that will do this book the praise it deserves but I will say this, The Iron Knight had everything I could have asked for and more. Julie Kagawa has utterly surpassed my expectations and blown all previous books away with her truly amazing writing, her creative imagination and her gift for storytelling. Not only has she done a fantastic job with this novel but she has left me utterly speechless. Never have I felt so much joy and sadness for a book before but that\’s what I\’m left with. I\’m left with Joy because it\’s the most perfect ending to a fantastic series and sadness because it\’s finally come to an end. Not only am I sad to be leaving these characters that I love but I am also sad that I didn\’t get to spend more time with them as I wished. After only discovering this series a few months ago, I feel my time has come to an end too quickly. But, I do believe it was the best possible way because the excitement I had when I first started this series, is still with me now even though I\’ve finished the final book. Looking back on all four books, I honestly would have been sad had it of ended with The Iron Queen therefore I am truly grateful to Julie to have continued on with the series and created another amazing piece of work. Ash has always been a favourite character of mine, I\’ve loved him from the start and if it\’s possible I think I love him that much more now. This story shows him in a completely different light, you get to see his deepest darkest secrets and somehow still manage to love him. Julie definitely did the right thing by doing this book from his point of view, I know it was sad to leave Meghan behind but she\’s not truly forgotten. Honestly, if could rate The Iron Knight 10 out of 10 I would. This book is definitely my favourite out of the series and this series is definitely my favourite out of everything I\’ve read. Thank you once again to Julie Kagawa for captivating us, compelling us and taking us all on this incredible journey with you. Even though the series has come to an end, it will truly not be forgotten and will be forever in our hearts.

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