Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2010

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 363

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Local Library; Fantasy

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Could not put this down.  It's been awhile since I found a book I got completely absorbed in.  I loved it!!!!

The story is intriguing.  I haven't read much including faeries, so this was actually quite a refresher from my historical romances and zombie stories.  I liked the change.  it felt fresh. (Wonder if it will by the end of the trilogy?)  The plot was fairly predictable, but it didn't detract from the great story line.

The characters were fun.  I was always guessing what Puck or Ash would do next.  They were forever at odds with one another, yet there was something else going on underneath all that maleness.  (We find out, but  I won't give away the secret.)  Oberon and Titania and Mab are just like how I imagine them from myth: powerful, enchanting, self-absorbed.  Perfectly drawn.  Meghan was fun: feisty and innocent all wrapped up in a normal 16-year-old girl package.  But my favorite is definitely Grimalkin.  He reminded me of the Cheshire Cat, but that's okay because I adore the Cheshire Cat.  Everytime we think he's disappeared, he comes back to help.  It may not always be on Meghan's time or in Meghan's way, but Grim is truly a friend.

I can't wait to read the next in the series: The Iron Daughter.  Good thing I got all three from the library!

The Iron Fey

• #1 The Iron King
• #1.5 Winter’s Passage
• #2 The Iron Daughter
• #3 The Iron Queen
• #3.5 Summer’s Crossing
• #4 The Iron Knight
• #4.5 Iron’s Prophecy
• #5 The Lost Prince
• #6 The Iron Traitor
• #7 The Iron Warrior