The Iron Knight (Iron Fey) Paperback – October 25, 2011

I did not realize this was the 4th book in a series. It stands alone as a story quite well. There is a lot of description and good storytelling here.

Let me just say that had she not written another book and cut it off after The Iron Queen, Julie Kagawa would've made me a very unhappy young woman. Possibly scarred me for life. And for those fans of the series, you probably already know why. But let me say it anyway. It wouldn't have been right, on any front, from any angle. It wasn't just that there would be no more Meghan and Ash--at least that we would've seen, but what about Meghan and her bestfriendship with Puck? Two of the most important people in her life unable to be with her forever? That's just sick and wrong. The Iron Queen made me cried, but had I not discovered that there was going to be a fourth book I would've BAWLED, MOURNED. Thankfully, my household was spared the drama.The best part of this whole reading experience for this fourth installment was the unexpected. I had no idea what to look forward to. Sure, I knew Ash's overall goal, I knew that Puck and Grimalkin were bound to join in the, um, fun. But, what kind of perilous tests and troublesome decisions was Ash going to encounter? And would reading the ending of this story in Ash's POV satisfy me? was all I could think. It certainly gave me a jolt, being inside Ash's head instead of Meghan's. After a little while, though, I grew accustomed to him and I realized just how much goes on behind Ash's nearly unshakable barricades. It was absorbing, yes. But, do YOU find it appealing once you discover that your big, bad, brave hero has a vulnerable center? I was content in books one through three to know that it was there, to catch glimpses of Ash's very human reactions to certain things, but seeing him this way, in a whole new light, unguarded, well... it shattered my very likable illusion that Ash is Mr. Tough Guy and nothing gets to him. AND I missed being inside Meghan's head, ESPECIALLY after her growth per The Iron Queen.Despite my conflicted feelings on the change in POV, having Puck, and, eventually, Grimalkin there softened any lingering discontent. Puck... never changes. While I saw many newly uncovered facets to his character, and the deeper emotions he manages to conceal well and often, it was nice to see that my favorite prankster would hardly have a sudden shift in his all-too attractive, charming, and hilarious personality just because of a deadly, perilous mission that would bring his frenemy and his love together again. He provided ample comic relief, which was great for me when things got too serious or too tense. At the same time, it was nice learning about what really went down between he and Ash, seeing his own pain and shame. And even better, I could always expect humorous sarcasm from my favorite feline to-date. Grimalkin didn't change, either, even in the most dangerous, the scariest situations!The additional characters introduced were... a definite surprise. One's inclusion was downright shocking, jaw-dropping. And the other, well, who can resist the allure of a very big, very bad... canine. Even more gratifying were the countless fights and tests in the book. Me and my never-satisfied love of battles were sated and content. There were so many kick-ass fight scenes, and the adventure did wonders for preventing boredom. Any abiding sadness or longings for Meghan to show up were easily, however temporarily, dispelled.The tests, though the least bit amusing or entertaining, were... perfect. I felt like Ash NEEDED to see the things that were shown to him, needed to see what things would be like with a soul. These challenges made sense, were logical yet emotional and very necessary. They hurt, and oh, how they hurt for me, too. Seeing Ash suffer was no picnic. But I think it made Ash a better person, and gave him some closure and acceptance, and perhaps even a way to rid himself of any guilt that still clung to him. Any doubts were faced and resolved. Without these tests, things would've been too easy and had he returned to Meghan without enduring them, things would've eventually fallen apart. However painful, it was realistic. And I appreciated that, and Julie's insight.It was all worth it in the end. For Ash, and for me. And this much-needed conclusion to the series did all of the following: served it's purpose well, entertained, delighted, and above all, SATISFIED. My unrest and my discontent dissipated with my reading this excellent finale, and I dream of what Julie Kagawa has in store for us fans, including the new Iron Fey series coming up starring Ethan, Meghan's younger brother! If this first series is any indication, I know how much I'm going to love Julie's future works. And I can't wait.

First I have to say that there are very few book series that I will read more than once. I'm the kind of person that may read a book I loved annually or I might read a series I love, say... 10x (Harry Potter). I've read a lot of books this past year and some I do think I'll read again... then there are those special series that I know I'll read over and over and over.... The Iron Fey has officially made the list of books I'll read again and again!! I absolutely love this series and no words I could ever write will truly grasp the extreme writing talent and imagination Julie Kagawa has put into these books! A job well done seems to be a huge understatement!!I loved getting to look into the mind and heart of Ash. In the other books we knew he loved Meghan and we knew that he was devoted to her, but to see what he went through, the inner turmoil and struggle and journey to get a soul... it was amazing! Without giving away spoilers I want to say that towards the end I was worried about Ash making the right choice because I didn't want to see him become mortal and die. I mean, who does right?! So I was in love with the little twist that should enable him to remain youthful and strong and always be the Ash we fell in love with!Of course I feel the supreme need to list my favorite characters so here I go ;-) Grim first and foremost is one hell of a cat!! I love his whole being... his mind, personality and sense of humor. True to form he was on his toes and leading the way into a perilous journey suited for only the strongest fey... and I love his disappearing act, I mean who wouldn't disappear in those situations?!I LOVED that Ariella was in the book and we got to glimpse what she was like. At first I didn't like her but I grew to understand her feelings and I sympathized with where she was coming from. Having to know her own future and that Ash would love Meghan and choose her in the end was heartbreaking! I loved her sacrifice and the pureness we saw in her at the end. I liked that, in a way, she'd always live on in one who had loved her and would never forget her memory!I LOVED that the Big Bad Wolf came along for the ride as well. I loved how he stalks and kills and protects at the same time. I for one will never forget the Big Bad Wolf... I will tell his story to my children and all who will listen so he will never be forgotten! I was so glad to see him endure until the end and would love to read more about him in later books...Later books you say?! YES!! There should be more Fey books and I expect them wholeheartedly! Why you ask?! Because one of my most favorite characters was left with an unsettled ending. Yes my friends, Puck. My beloved Robin Goodfellow whom my heart broke for on so many occasions I was in tears! If I don't get to read more about Puck and his mischievous antics I will be one sad person!! :'( How can Puck not get some kind of happy ending? I LOVE PUCK!! I was always team Ash for Meghan don't get me wrong... I never wavered there but I had hoped Puck would get a happy ending as well. Though if I'm being completely honest I'm glad he didn't get one in the Iron Knight. I think he needs his own series dedicated just to him!! Just sayin' Julie... I need more Puck!!Overall I can't recommend this series highly enough. I have bought all the books and novella's for my Kindle and I will buy without hesitation anything Julie Kagawa writes!! BUY ALL THESE BOOKS and read them NOW!! They are amazing, so well written, beautiful descriptions, amazingly developed characters with so much depth and thought put into each one... I can't even begin to describe how wonderful these books are!! If you haven't read them you're missing out big time!!

The Iron Knight is, without a doubt, my favourite book in the entire Iron Fey series - yes I am counting The Lost Prince in this. I loved reading from Ash's perspective but really it was also the plot of this book that truly blew me away. Not happy with spending an eternity without Meghan by his side, he takes a vow to do everything in his power to change his destiny. With the help of Puck and Grim, he travels to the end of the Fey world to do this. I was enthralled with all the different challenges that arose throughout this journey, I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between all of the characters - but I especially enjoyed the friendship between Ash and Puck and all of the complications that arose from it. My favourite part of the book, however, was right at the very end of the book when they finally reach their destination - but don't worry, that's all I'll say so as not to ruin it.This book was, in my opinion, the perfect ending to this series. It was a great, fun, emotional, powerful story that literally took you on a journey and showed you the many strengths of the secondary characters in this series. It was interesting, unique, and really enchanting. I was overjoyed while reading this book and I just really loved the ending of it to pieces. I truly enjoyed Ash as a narrator and simply could not recommend reading this series just to read this book more. The series as a whole was really enjoyable, but it was this book that really tipped the scale for me. So, what are you still reading this for? Go and get started on the Iron Fey series NOW.

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."ChristineRainy 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.

In the last instalment of the Iron Fey series, Iron Knight is told by Ash. He swore to find a way to be with Megan, to earn his soul to become mortal so he can survive the Iron realm. But the trials he face will not be easy; the hardest he has ever known. But he is bound by his oath to try - to find a way to return to the Queen he loves. With old and new faces to see him on his journey, Ash must ask himself whether or not mortality is something he wants.Puck is once again assisting Ash, this time to help Megan. Though he himself loves her, Puck knows if anything should happen to Ash it would destroy her. Ash and Puck seek out a familiar cait sith to help them find what they are looking for and to start them on the perilous journey.Iron Knight is a gritty and raw book with characters plucked straight out of your own nightmares. Ash's voice is self deprecating yet determined, his love for Megan like a break in the clouds. His banter with Puck eases the tension before it racks back up again.I held my breath for much of this book, torn between wanting to rush through it to find out what happens next, and wanting to prolong it so it could last forever. Terrified to read another sentence in case it ended badly.Julie Kagawa created a world, and characters, that I fell completely in love with. After the final page was turned, I hugged the book to my chest, happy and sad all at once. Devastated that it was over. But hey, that's what re-reading is for.

The fourth and final installment in the Iron Fey series had a lot to live up to; the previous three have been full of action, adventure and wit but could this one match up? The answer is unequivocably yes! I found book 4 to the best so far and this is why:The Iron Knight is written from Ash's perspective. For Ash fans out there that's a winning component in itself but what I loved about it so much was the way Kagawa has conveyed his character. I really felt that now that I could see how Ash thinks and expresses himself that I understood his character much better. I particularly loved the exploration of his relationship and constant fued with Puck - reading about this from Ash's point of view and being able to see that they are actually great friends was a huge reason why I loved reading this book.The story itself is the best so far though. This time Ash is on a quest to become human and with the help of Grimalkin (everyone's favourite cat), the Wolf (who you might remember from one of the novella's Kagawa has written) and of course Puck (the cheeky summer fey). The quest is so much fun to read about! Ash must journey to the end of the world (yes really) and find the battle grounds where he must complete a series of tests to become human. The journey to the end of the world was gripping in itself and full of lots of different fey but the tests Ash had to complete were so gripping - I just couldn't put the book down.Each test Ash completes will show him what it truly means to become human. In particular, he will learn what it means to no longer rely on being a Winter Prince, being weaker than the fey, feeling guilt and pain. To demonstrate this we get to revisit all of the things that Ash has done in the past, so we get a really brilliant insight into his past and backstory. Of course we do get to see Meghan once or twice too so she isn't completely out of the picture; after all Ash's quest to be human started because he was banished from the Iron Realm where Meghan is because of the effects it has on his health.Overall, I found this book reignited my love for Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series. I had enjoyed the previous stories but was beginning to feel that they were becoming repetitive and lost interest a little bit. However, after reading the Iron Knight I can't recommend this book enough and I can't wait to see what Kagawa will do with her spin-off series starring Ethan Chase as the lead.