Series Showcase Part One: Iron King by Julie Kagawa

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira Books (21 Jan 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0778304345
• ISBN-13: 978-0778304340

My name is Meghan Chase. In less than twenty-four hours I'll be sixteen. Countless stories, songs and poems have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her and the handsome prince carries her off into the sunset. I don't think it will be that way for me. 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 fairy 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.

To kick start February's Series Showcase, I have a review of Iron King by Julie Kagawa. For everyone who has read it, please comment and let me know what you thought of it. What you liked, what you hated, were you Team Ash or Team Puck? I want to know! I also have a special surprise at the end of the Showcase, so stay tuned...

Megan Chase is an ordinary girl. In twenty four hours, she will be sixteen. And just for once, she would like something to happen in her life. Living with her mother, step-father and half brother, Ethan, Megan often feels ignored and taken for granted. The only bright spot in her life is best friend, Robbie Goodfell.

Megan thinks her luck is about to change when she is finally on her life-long crushes radar. Too bad her luck backfires and she becomes the target of a cruel and awful prank. Things go from bad to worse in Megan’s life when she discovers Ethan has been taken…and only she can get him back.

Robbie reveals to her that he is not what he seems and neither is she. She is part fey, and Ethan has been taken into Faery. She can get him back, if she’s brave enough to make the journey.

When Megan arrives in the Nevernever, she discovers more about herself than she ever could have believed. She is not the daughter of the mortal who disappeared when she was six like she thought. She is the daughter of Oberon, the Summer King which makes her an easy target for many enemies.

Megan attracts the attention of Ash, the Winter Prince. Winter and Summer have always been foes, but Ash may be the one person who can help her get Ethan back.

           

Megan was a strong character to lead us through the story with a likeable voice and personality. Her struggles in the beginning of the book is something most teenagers can identify with. Being in first person, you really get inside her head, feel what she feels. And trust me, I felt every bit as mortified.

The introduction of Ash was beautifully done. A dark prince who says he may yet kill her, or at the very least betray her, Ash is the ultimate bad boy. His rivalry with Puck increases the reader’s curiosity, making them want to know every moment of their past.

Julie Kagawa has created a beautiful knew story world, combining old legends and modern dreaming with an incredible cast of characters to keep the story going. The romance was tender and bittersweet, the humour dark and twisted. I loved every second of this book.