Word Out 2014

The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa

Reviewed by Caitlin​, age 16​

“Yeah, Mom, Ethan’s turned into a monster and my best friend thinks he’s a faery. How was your day?”-The Iron King, Julie Kagawa.

Being a teenager is hard enough for Meghan Chase—the constant bullying from her classmates, and the fact her step-dad casually forgets she’s actually a person is enough to push her buttons. But one day after a socially destroying encounter at school she discovers her little brother, Ethan, has been kidnapped. Worse, he’s been replaced with a Changeling—a type of faery. At first, Meghan can’t believe that faeries (not Tinkerbell, think evil creatures who enjoy causing ruckus and stealing human children) have kidnapped her brother, considering the fact that they do not exist. Well, she believes this until her best friend reveals himself to be an infamous faery that is known for pulling pranks. Deciding that her six-year-old half-brother’s life and mental stability is top priority, she journeys to the Nevernever (aka Faeryland) in a seemingly vain attempt to find him, following the only lead her friend has on Ethan’s possible whereabouts. Along the way to finding Ethan she discovers that there is actually a reason her step-dad can’t remember her, and why that boy she saw earlier tried to kill her, and a spreading disease that’s killing the Nevernever.

I will freely admit that I’ve read this book multiple times, and each reread makes me fall in love with Meghan’s character again. She’s so persistent and she refused to give up easily. Throughout her journey, she was tested and put in tough situations that not everyone could navigate. She cares so deeply for those she trusts it was astounding to read what she would do to save her friends. And Meghan is no damsel in distress; multiple times in the novel she is left to defend herself against all types of nasty fey. Ironically, she is told that her companions would protect her, then they end of being out of commission, and she’s left alone to the wolves. I still find Meghan to be the most relatable, but I found a little shard of myself within each of the characters, and that really helped me get into their heads to understand their actions. I could even see where the antagonists were coming from, and found myself sympathizing with several before the novel’s end. The witty and sarcastic remarks from all Meghan encountered made them all a delight to read.

When I first started this book, I didn’t think it was going to be any good. The back cover gave away the ‘love triangle’, and the first bit of the book was a small pain to read through. However, the action began to pick up gradually until I realized that I had made it to the half-way point when I had just promised myself one last chapter. Kagawa threw in twist after twist, and I loved how I could never predict what would happen next to the wayward group. The novel explained the magic/faery system thoroughly, but I wish there was an appendix of some sort at the back for reference. The imagery and description was detailed and fascinating, forming almost-perfect settings in my mind’s eye for the duration of the novel. Yes, sometimes the romance got a little out of hand and a tad too flowery for my own taste, but I think that there was an overall balance between it and action. As I said before, I didn’t think I would enjoy this book, but I was so wrong.

So I urge you, dear review reader, to go out and give this book a shot. The Iron King is waiting for you, after all, and he’s got a few tricks behind his back to show off.