A Book Obsession..: Julie Kagawa

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Early Review: Soldier by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

Soldier by Julie Kagawa

Talon #3

A fighter dedicated to saving humankind from dragons in strictest secrecy.

That was what Garret Xavier Sebastian thought he was part of as a soldier of the Order of St. George. What he learned from a fiery dragon hatchling twisted all he believed in and set him on a collision course with certain death-but not without a chance to put things right.

Betrayed and on the run again, Ember and rogue dragon Riley discover an unthinkable truth about Talon and St. George. They'll need Garret's skills and insider knowledge of the Order to negotiate an impossible deal-and if they fail, there will be no way to stop all-out war.

I have to admit I don’t really understand the love triangle in this series. It just doesn’t make sense or really work emotionally to be honest. I don’t know if there just isn’t enough depth to it to make it believable to me, or if thing just need to develop further, but honestly I’m let scratching my head. First off you have the complication that Dragons aren’t supposed to love or have partner, preferring to be solitary creatures. But then there’s this inexplicable bond pulling Ember and Riley together. It almost feels like the mating bond so common in shifter books which would make sense since the dragons are technically shifters although they are dragons really, just mimicking humans. But that there leads me to the other part of the triangle, Embers attraction and pull towards Garrett. She’s not supposed to be human nor be capable of love, and yet in so many ways Ember is very very human. While it’s something that was started to slowly be considered in SOLDIER, there’s really so much more to be figured out. I guess in the end I just need more from the romance for this triangle to work for me. As it stood in this book there was barely any moments romantically between Ember and either “boy” and even the ones that were seemed rushed and glossed over. I need more.

Onto the plot, this is one area where SOLDIER shined. The sheer amount of twists, turns, and machinations between all the various factions left my head spinning at times. It felt like Ember and co were under fire from all directions, and nothing and no one were safe one bit. It definitely made things more than interesting and the stakes incredibly high. Almost too high perhaps. By the end of the book I was left amazed at everything that had happened, the new developments and things revealed to come, and it’s hard to imagine a reasonable survival outcome for anyone. I almost feel like things are headed into unbeliveability territory. I could be wrong, but only time will tell in the next book to see how they get out of the building chaos.

Overall SOLDIER kept me entertained, but unfortunately it lacked the amount of depth I would like to have seen. This book and characters have so much potential in my opinion and I’d love to see so much more from them, but as seems to be the course for this series I feel like we’re only scratching the surface. I’m enjoying them well enough to continue the series as I’m definitely invested, but I can’t help hoping for more depth in books to come.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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The Thoughtful Spot

Previous Books:
1. Talon
2. Rogue

Early Review: Rogue by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

Rogue by Julie Kagawa

Talon #2

Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles. Most time they just annoy me rather than make me feel torn like the character does. However, there are sometimes where there is enough reason behind the heroine being torn that I don't mind it, which is the case here. Ember's own identities between her human and dragon self are like two completely different people, so it makes sense that each side of her would be drawn to a different thing. Unfortunately however, despite understanding that conflict, I frankly do not feel much of an attachment to either hero. There's just a disconnect between myself and the characters that made it hard to really get attached or sucked in to the romance, which made the whole thing somewhat of a let down. I just think that for there to be a love triangle, there just needs to be more of a connection and stronger built romance rather than just the words of attraction. I just didn't feel the pull.

Ember is a tricky character for me. On on hand, she's fiesty strong and refuses to follow authority blindly, which I love about her. I can easily seeing her becoming a true character to reckon with as she gets a bit more experience under her belt. But that same rebellous nature about her annoyed me as well. Several times throughout the last book and this one as well it felt like she was disobeying and going against what was asked of her just for the sake of "bucking" authority. There were a few times her behaviour/reactions were completely and entirely reckless for no reason other than to be stubborn and reckless it seems. For example, they are on the run from both St. George and Talon at one point, and she is asked to stay put and out of sight for her protection so they don't get caught. Of course, she gets "stir crazy" and goes out risking all their lives just because she was bored. It made her seem selfish and immature, and frankly put me off. I prefer a character to rebell for a purpose rather than immaturity. That being said, she's still very young and naive, and as more and more things happen I have a feeling she'll grow.

I have to admit I'm a bit frustrated with this series. It has all the makings of a completely great read, between the unique world, interesting cast of characters and the rotating first person narrative that really works for me, plus a fast paced plot to boot. However, the execution of everything isn't quite what I had hoped, between the love triangle disconnect, and the overly reckless heroine, I just can't sink into these books as much as I would like. Don't get me wrong, they are interesting and entertaining reads, but I just feel like there's unrealized potential not being met here, but hopefully the future books correct that.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Pirate Media Musings

Previous Books:
1. Talon

The Forever Song Tour

, by KT

• Where did you get the inspiration for the Blood of Eden series?

I’ve told this story a few times, but it’s a fun one, so I’ll tell it again. Way back in the beginning of my writing career, before I even started The Iron King, I told myself that I wasn’t going to write a vampire story. This was at the height of the Twilight craze, and there were already so many books about our favorite bloodsuckers, I felt I didn’t have anything new to add. But then, around the time I was finishing up The Iron Knight, the last book in the Iron Fey series, I got a call from my agent. She wanted to know what was next for me, if I had any ideas for a new book or a new series. I did. I told her I’d been thinking about a really dark, post-apocalyptic world where a disease had wiped out nearly everyone and there weren’t many humans left. I didn’t exactly have, say, a plot, or characters, or what the book was going to be about. But I knew I wanted to write something a bit darker and bleaker than the Iron Fey, so I asked her what she thought about that.

She said: “Yes, well, that sounds interesting, but what are your thoughts about writing vampires?”

Out loud, I said: “I’ll think about it.” Inwardly, I was going: Aaaaaagh, noooooooo! *Snarl-hiss makes sign of the cross.*

But, after we got off the phone, I did start to think. So, on the one hand, I had this cool, dark, post-apocalyptic setting that I really loved. And on the other, I had vampires. So, what if I just…

Squashed.

Them.

Together?

And, just like that, the idea for The Immortal Rules was born.

• When you set out to write this series did you know how everything would end up, or did you wing it as you went?

I always have to know the ending of a series before I begin. Then I at least have something to write toward. I also have certain points in the story that I know have to happen, but everything in between I make up as I go along.

• The ending of The Eternity Cure was a doozy! Do you enjoy torturing readers with cliffhangers?

I'll tell you a universal truth: authors love to make readers cry. And laugh, and scream, and rage. Not because we're mean or evil (okay, maybe a little evil), but when people shed tears over our books, and specifically the characters in those books, we know we've done our job well. It means the reader has connected with them on a personal level, that the characters have become more than just words on paper. They've become real.

• If your books were to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?

Oh man, I am soooo bad at this. Really, if James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) could play Jackal, that'd be awesome, but I have no idea for anyone else. I'm open to suggestions.

• Since this is the last book in the series, what's coming next for you?

My next series is called Talon, and it's about modern day dragons and their war with the Order of St. George.

• What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, and anything by Neil Gaiman.

• If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books, what would that be?

For aspiring authors, I started exactly where you are right now, unpublished and unknown. Keep writing, keep practicing, and never give up.

• What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?

Lol, I've done a lot of crazy/interesting things; it's hard to pick just one. When I was sixteen I tried riding a wild horse and was promptly bucked off and trampled. (Not the smartest thing I've ever done.) I met a wild sea turtle while swimming in the ocean one afternoon, and hung out with it for awhile. I've been chased out of the ocean by reef sharks. I've trained horses, dogs, cats, and a parrot. I take Kung Fu and routinely spar people with sticks and knives. Several years ago I was taking my dog for a walk in the park, and happened to run into Orlando Bloom, who said my dog was cool looking. So I'm not certain which of these is the most interesting; I'll let you guys decide. ;-)

• Finish this statement: "You'll like the Blood of Eden series if...

...you like scary, old-school vampires, bloody sword fights, romance, snark, and a kick-ass Asian vampire girl with a katana.

Thanks Julie!

Tour Schedule:

Monday, April 7th - Harlequin Paranormal Romance Blog

Tuesday, April 8th - fiktshun

Wednesday, April 9th - The Page Turners

Thursday, April 10st - Books and Things

Friday, April 11th - Ticket To Anywhere

Monday, April 14th - Two Chicks on Books

Tuesday, April 15th - Parajunkee

Wednesday, April 16th - Refracted Light Reviews

Thursday, April 17st - Bewitched Bookworms

Friday, April 18th - Mundie Moms

Monday, April 21th - A Book Obsession

Tuesday, April 22nd - The Book Cellar

Wednesday, April 23th - Supernatural Snark

Thursday, April 24st - The Busy Bibliophile

Friday, April 25th - Tyngas Reviews

Author Info:

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish and the odd eel.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dog trainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all-time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian shepherd who is too smart for his own good and the latest addition, a hyperactive Papillon puppy.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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(Also check out my review of The Forever Song)

How do you face the end of eternity?

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood.

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence

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Early Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Blood of Eden #3

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Wow. Just wow. This is how you write a trilogy. So many times trilogies seem to fall flat, but that was so far from the case here. I can't remember the last time I was so enthralled and impressed with an entire series like this. To be honest I'm a bit of a loss at what to say about this book that isn't just sheer fan girling or spoilery things, so please bear with me on this one.

As much as I love the setting and plot line of this series, it is the characters and the dynamics between them that really take it over the edge for me. You have Allison and Jackal with their completely antagonistic yet strong sibling bond that defies reason. I mean the dude is crazy and can't be trusted, or so she thinks. Yet he kept surprising her, all the while keeping her on her toes while he tormented her relentlessly. Then you have the strong fatherly bond from the stoic yet tortured Kanin, who largely puts up with Allison and Jackal's antics, but also isn't afraid to shut them up when necessary. But above all I most loved Allison herself. She's come such a long way and battled fiercely against her inner demons only to fall again and again, yet still finds a way to pick herself back up again. I loved her even more in this book as the roles between her and Zeke changed. I won't say anything more about that than to just say, wow was that a bumpy ride to the end, but more than worth the journey!

From the first page of this series to the very last one, I was completely captivated, THE FOREVER SONG most of all. From the amazing cast of characters to the nail biting plot there wasn't a single dull moment, and i loved every second. The only negative thing I can say about this book is that it ended. This series should be on every paranormal and post-apocalyptic lovers must read list. Five stars just isn't enough.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

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Reading Teen
Petite Ame Little Soul
The Wolf's Den

Previous Books:
1. The Immortal Rules
2. The Eternity Cure

Early Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

After his last jaunt into Fairy, Ethan Chase wants absolutely nothing more to do with the fey. He just wants to spend his time with his new girlfriend, Kenzie and try and pretend the other world doesn't exist. But when his nephew, Prince of the Iron Realm, Keirran goes missing, he finds himself dragged back into the thick of things with the fey. Somehow it became up to him and Kenzie to stop Keirran from the unthinkable when it comes to his methods of saving his love. If they fail, Keirran could cause a war that won't only effect the fey realms, but spill over into the human one as well.

I could literally spend this entire review talking about how much I loathe Keirran. I wasn't his biggest fan in the previous installment, but in THE IRON TRAITOR he hit an all time low in my book. Sure his actions are supposed to be about sacrificing everything for love, but it sparked more of selfishness in my opinion. As much as I hate to say it, I feel like his parents, Ash and Megan set a really bad example for him. Their love was forbidden, but they found a way, so of course now Keirran won't let anything stand in his way. The big difference however was that Ash and Megan did not set out to ruin anyone else in their determination to be together. Sure, you could argue in the long run that they did hurt others as their being together allowed Keirran, the catalyst to be born into the world, but they didn't set out that way. Keirran several times throughout the book turns cold and forbidding. I honestly do not understand why any of them stuck with him, especially Annwyl. But I'll get into the rest of the characters later. I know I've read books with characters that are much worse than Keirran, but there is just something about him that infuriates me. Don't get me wrong, I love Julie's writing, but I'll be honest that there were a few times while reading this book that I had to force myself to continue on because I was so angry with him. But then again, that right there might actually be a testament to her skill at crafting a character that elicits such a strong response.

As far as the rest of the characters, Annwyl just struck me as weak, honestly when she only put up token complaints whenever Kierren was off doing something horrible in search of saving her. But I tried to mostly overlook that as I can't imagine what it would be like to be fading like she was. But then again, Kenzie wasn't doing so hot either, and who knows how much longer she will have herself, yet she doesn't allow or expect anyone else to save her. Speaking of Kenzie, I absolutely adore her. She's so strong and amazing, and I just love how she and Ethan are together. She softens him without making him into a wimp. And Ethan, while I adore him, well he needed a bit of softening. Sure, his life has been anything but easy, but he really needed someone to get his head out of his butt to show him being angry and standoffish to the world was not the solution, and Kenzie was that person. They definitely have a swoon worthy romance, only stepping this book up yet another notch.

From what I understand, this series is supposed to be a trilogy, but I'll be honest that I'm not really sure how everything could possibly be wrapped up in just one more book. Sure there was a little forward momentum with the prophecy surrounding Ethan and Kierren, but I still feel like there's a long way to go yet, especially with the way things ended in this book. Talk about a brutal cliffhanger! But I guess that just means that trilogy or not, the next book will be one heck of a ride. Once again, Julie Kagawa has pulled off one heck of an amazing book with THE IRON TRAITOR. Take my word for it, this book is one heck of a read that will suck you in right from the start and not let go.

(Receieved a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)

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Reading Lark

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Previous Books:

1. The Iron Knight

Early Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Blood of Eden #2

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Leaving her human friends behind was one of the hardest things for Allie to do, but at least she knows they are finally safe as vampires aren't welcome in Eden, the last human sanctuary. Besides, she has her own mission to rescue her sire, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire who is holding him captive and subjecting him to untold horrors. She teams up with an unlikely ally to return to her old home, New Covington. But what she finds there is more shocking than anything she has ever seen. The Red Lung virus is back, and this time not even the vampires are immune.

The character dynamics in THE ETERNITY CURE were simply incredible. Allie is still going through her own inner turmoil as she tries to balance who she wants to be with the monster she is within. I love that while she isn't in denial about her monster nature, and embraces it when necessary, she also hasn't let it consume her. There is so much humanity and compassion to her, which honestly shouldn't be possible. Heaven knows everyone else has tried to drive it out of her, Jackel most of all. Speaking of Jackel, I was rather surprised to find myself starting to like him. Sure, he's still a terrible person, or rather vampire, but he does seem to care about Allie in his own sort of brotherly twisted way. There were several times throughout the book where he could have left her to a horrible fate, but he didn't. In fact he actually saved her more than once. Granted, some of my new found like for him was that he provided a much needed comic relief from the bleak circumstances with his constant quips and one liners. Another character that I have only grown to love more is Kanin. I had a soft spot for this quiet vampire in the first book, but he was rather secretive so it felt like we weren't seeing all of him. However, in THE ETERNITY CURE, we get to see so much more of who he really is, and I love the new dynamic as he is no longer her teacher, but a friend whose ties are close as blood. There are many more character dynamics I could get into, namely my extreme hatred of Sarren, but this review is getting to be long enough. Suffice it to say that each and every character brings something incredible to the table in THE ETERNITY CURE, be it for the good or the bad.

Now onto the romance. I loved Zeke and Allie together in the previous installment, but I also had held myself a bit apart as I just couldn't quite see them working out in the long run due to the differences between them. However, while reading this book, I became completely engrossed in the two of them. Zeke is the only human who could have fully embraced everything Allie is. His refusal to judge her even when she loses control of the monster allows her to finally relax around him and open up, allowing more of her humanity to shine through. Speaking of humanity, Zeke's is rather incredible. While he may not like to kill, he doesn't hesitate to do what is necessary. But more importantly, he doesn't let the darkness of taking other's lives darken him at all. No matter what he has been forced to do to protect others, he hasn't lost one bit of his shining humanity, and that is precisely why I feel he is absolutely perfect for Allie. He really grounds her, and it is because of that the my heart truly bleeds for them whenever the author throws something nasty and devastating in their path.

THE ETERNITY CURE is one of those rare books that seamlessly balances character development and heart pounding action along with staggering emotions in perfect proportions. There wasn't a single dull moment in this book. In fact, I'd give just about anything to get my hands on the next installment as the wait will be fairly agonizing after the cruel punishment of this one's ending. Even better than the first book, THE ETERNITY CURE is not to be missed!

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

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The Immortal Rules

Early Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotton #1

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

Forced to live by a set of rules in order to survive and keep those around him safe, Ethan Chase does everything he can to avoid notice from the fey who stalk him. But all his carefully constructed barriers come down as the very fey he avoids start to disappear, and he himself is attacked. As a result, along with a very stubborn girl who doesn't seem to realize that staying away from him is for her own good, Ethan is forced to escape to the one place he swore he would never return, Faery. What they find there will forever change their destiny, and make them question everything they have ever known.

The characters in The Lost Prince earn a mixed range of emotions from me, with some earning admiration and others not so much. As for Ethan, once I looked beneath the broody surface he portrays, I really loved his character. Sure, he is more than a little bitter and angry at the world, but in all honesty I think he has coped remarkably well considering the very rough life he has been dealt. I was only further endeared to him when I realized that much of his gruff manner was used in order to keep people at arms length and therefore safe from the ones who would use them against him. Kenzie was another character I absolutely adored. She is very spunky and her iron will is amazing, which is only more apparent latter on in the story. She has her own secrets, ones that will both shock and simultaneously only further ensnare you to her. Keirran was much on the unsure and leaning towards dislike category in all honesty. I just couldn't connect with him and his behavior on a lot of things was more than questionable. He just seemed rather spoiled and selfish, but also powerful, making for a very bad combination. I'm going to reserve final judgement for now, until we get to know him a little better in the next book, but I will say that he definitely hasn't impressed me yet.

I really enjoyed the twisted story line of The Lost Prince. Not only did we have the new and nasty, fey that were preying on others, but there also were hints of the Prophecy that was foretold in Iron's Prophecy, a short story from Meghan's perspective. I would highly recommend reading that prior to The Iron Prince as it gives you insider information, you wouldn't otherwise have, and gives you a better clue at the reasoning behind some things in the book. Rounding out the book was the budding romance between Kenzie and Ethan, which was both sweet and promising.

In all honesty it really surprised me how different this book felt than the Iron Fey series. At first I thought that was due to the change in narration from a female to male, but then I remembered that we already made that change in The Iron Knight as Ash took the reigns. So, that being said I can't really put my finger on what was so different considering it still involves the same world and similar characters. So, it did take me a little while to get used to the changes, making the learning curve a just little higher than I had anticipated. That being said, once I got used to the differences, I was completely ensnared, especially as it became apparent that this series would more than shine on its own and shine. From start to finish, The Iron Knight was an enthralling read that will more than please fans of The Iron Fey Series.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

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Early Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Blood of Eden #1

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Alison lives on the fringes of society as she refuses to be cattle for the vampires that rule the city. To survive, most humans allow themselves to be branded and their blood taken in exchange for rations of food and safety. However, Alison knows better. That promise of safety is just empty words as registered people still go missing daily. Life is hard for her as she starves a little more each day scavenging for food, but at least her life belongs to her. That all changes when she is brutally attacked and given the choice of becoming the very thing she hates, or to die with her soul intact. In her moment of weakness she chooses immortality. With nothing more than a crash course in survival with her new status, she is forced out beyond the walls that protect them from the rabids, mindless beasts who kill vampires and humans alike. Her only hope at survival is to join a rag tag team of humans with their own mission. It will take everything she has to ensure her true nature isn't discovered, for that would mean an instant death, and this time there's no coming back.

Now that I've gotten the description out of the way, let me just start off by saying that I absolutely loved the mythology behind this world. The Immortal Rules has two of my favorite paranormal elements, vampires and zombies. In fact it takes things a step further by having zombie vampires. Yep, that's right ZOMPIRES! The funny thing is that I didn't put that together in my head at first. I just saw the rabids as nasty, killer creatures to be feared. Then all of a sudden it clicked in my head that they were Zompires and I was instantly in love. Seriously, when you picture Vamps, you typically expect them to be the top of the food chain, so it was really great to see them at risk too. Granted, they still lorded over the humans, who were treated no better than glorified cattle, but that didn't make them any less trapped behind the city walls.

I really loved watching Allie's character progression in The Immortal Rules. I found it a little ironic that she seemed more human by the end of the book than she did at the start, especially since she was still mortal at that point. Granted, she did want to do anything she could to help humanity overcome their oppression, but that really was only a pipe dream, as she was really only focused on her own survival. Although we do get a glimpse of her sacrificial nature early on, it isn't until the end that it really shows. Well, perhaps that isn't true either as that protective nature is pretty consistent throughout, it's just that it gets a little overshadowed by her battle with controlling the monster inside her. Her guilt at becoming what she hated the most won't let her see past the bad, to all the good she can and will do with her new found strength. In fact, I think she may now be in a position to actually make the changes for humanity that she desired early on, but only time will tell.

I'm not really sure why, but I somehow expected The Immortal Rules to be similar to Julie's other series, The Iron Fey, when the actuality is that they couldn't possibly be more different. The Immortal Rules is so much darker, and has a gritty, raw, bare bones aspect that will literally grab a hold of you with an iron fist. I was utterly captivated from the very start, and couldn't recommend it any higher! With a killer mythology (literally), awesome characters, a little romance, and heart pounding action, what isn't there to love about The Immortal Rules? This series will definitely be going on my auto-buy list!

(Received a copy from Netgalley)

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The Iron Knight (Early Review)

, by KT

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey #4

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

At the end of The Iron Queen, Megan Chase made the ultimate sacrifice for the nevernever by becoming the Iron Queen, meaning she would lose Ash forever, or so she thought. He swore a vow to find a way to do the impossible and return to her. Of course he couldn't set off on his quest alone as the ever annoying yet strangely loyal Puck insists on tagging along as a sidekick whether Ash want him there or not. Ash will be tested like he never was before in his very long existence, in order to prove his worth of a soul and his true love.

Ah, Puck and Ash. What are we going to do with those two? They were as thick as thieves (literally), then turned mortal enemies, and then into some sort of limbo between hate and acceptance. I really enjoyed getting to see the two of them working together again. Granted, tensions were very high, with every second spent together bringing them closer to disaster. However, in the end even though neither one would ever admit it, they make a very good team, and never should have been enemies. I think Ash's eyes were opened up to Puck's suffering and it helped calm some of his lingering rage. I don't think things can ever be as they were, as too much has changed, but perhaps they can start down a new path.

There is pretty major shakeup to the characters that would be huge spoiler to talk about. Suffice it to say that this event will completely change the game, and make Ash start to have doubts in his quest to become mortal. At first I was leery of the new development, but in the end I decided it was actually for the best. Some may disagree with me, on that, but it made Ash step a little off his track of single mindedness to open his eyes up to whether or not he was really doing what he wanted and needed the most. I just really liked how he was able to be entirely sure of his final decision once he finally made it. I'm sorry if that is too vague to understand, but as I said it would be too big of a spoiler. Hopefully things will be a little more clear once you read the book for yourselves.

Julie Kagawa had originally intended for things to end after The Iron Queen with the ultimate sacrifice being final. However, her editor convinced her to not leave things that way, and I cannot be happier that the series continued on for this final installment. There were just too many things left unanswered. Luckily The Iron Knight ties up so many of those loose ends and the ending feels very satisfying. It may be a little less so to those that are on the opposite "team" than the final winner, but I think in the end both camps will feel things ended as they should. Full of danger, heartache, and plenty of sacrifice, The Iron Knight is sure to please fans and give them the closure they have been waiting for. A definite two thumbs up.

(Received copy from Netgalley)

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The Iron Queen (Early Review)

, by KT

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey #3

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.

MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

THIS TIME,

THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.

Before Meghan even has a second to breathe, trouble strikes again. The iron fey are after her even though both her and Ash are exiled from the Nevernever. They thought they had left that world behind them. In this book they not only return, but are thrust right into the midst of extreme danger, where they quickly realize that Meghan is the Nevernever's last hope for survival. She is the only one who can withstand iron's cruel effects, so it is up to her to once again destroy the Iron King and stop the spread of the Iron Realm's poisons. It's an impossible task, but if anyone can do it, it would be Meghan for she harnesses both Iron and Summer Glamour, and has the determination to face anything that endangers the ones she loves.

The amount of personal growth Meghan's character did from the first book into the second is nothing in comparison to just how much she matured in this one. She is no longer content to sit on the sidelines and be protected by others. If there is danger, she steps right up and fights along side her allies. She has gone from being the liability of the group to one of its strongest members. I find her determination to always do the right thing no matter the consequences extremely admirable, as well as her unflinching devotion to anyone she cares about.

This book was jammed packed with so many emotions, fear, anger, betrayal, love, hate, misery, hope, the list could go on and on. The amazing thing was that I felt each and every emotion right along with the character. I was so far sucked in, that it all just felt so real. Even though the love triangle was still somewhat in effect in this book, its importance seemed much less. The resolution was very realistic, and I think it had the best possible outcome for all parties involved. As a certain character says, "Some of us have been around long enough to know when to let go."

I was completely caught off guard by the cliffhanger ending since I thought this was a trilogy. I panicked at first until I read a little further and saw that there will be a new book coming out from Ash's perspective. Even though the ending makes me desperate to find out what happens, this new gave me a little relief to know that we won't be kept hanging forever. All in all, if you enjoyed the first two books, then you will love this one. Make sure to pick it up as soon as possible. And if you haven't checked out this series yet, well what are you waiting for? You won't be disappointed.

(Received via Netgalley)
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Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey #2

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

This book starts with Meghan as a prisoner of the Winter Court with Ash apparently having abandoned her to her fate. As she nurses her "wounds" she slowly starts to gain strength and her determination starts to show through. Ash's older brother Rowan, continues to taunt her while trying to gleam information out of her. It seems the two brothers have a ages old feud between them, and Rowan will use anything he can to damage Ash. Meanwhile, even though no one believes her the Iron fey continue their conquest of destruction despite their king's death. With the war looming between the Summer and Winter Courts, Meghan is stuck in the middle without her powers, and an all too broken heart. Can she put all that aside to save the Nevernever before it's too late?

Meghan really grew in this book. Her iron will and determination shined through despite the terrible obstacles she faced. In the last book it was much easier for her to stay on her course as it was her little brother who was directly in trouble. Now, however, so much more is at stake and most would have long crumbled under the pressure. In this book even though her powers are supposed to be locked we start to get a glimpse at her potential and if she is who I think she is, the Nevernever will be forever changed by the decisions she makes. I only hope she continues in her determination to save it and works to bring a balance between all the courts. If anyone could do it, it would be her. Not only doesn't she have eons of prejudice holding her down, but she also has the perseverance to see things through to the end no matter the cost to herself.

Ah, well I cannot say I am surprised the love triangle reared its ugly head in this series. I had suspisions from the beginning that Puck had feelings for Meghan. Now, I don't really have anything against love triangles in books, but I just really wasn't feeling it in this book. I just didn't find it believable that so shortly after she was pining for Ash that she all of a sudden has these deep feelings for Puck. Don't get me wrong, Puck's feelings are very believable considering all that he has done for her, it's just her's that I question. Hopefully either the love triangle will fizzle in the next book, or at least become a lot more substantial. The way it stands now really detracted from the book.

Despite my frustrations with the underdeveloped love triangle, I did enjoy this book, although not quite as much as the first one. The resolution at the end seemed tenuous at best. I just cannot imagine things being left as they are, and it should be interesting to see exactly how things unravel in the next book.

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Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

, by KT

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey #1

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.

Meghan Chase has never really fit in. Her only friend, Robbie is mysterious in his own right as well as oddly protective. A few days before her sixteenth birthday she starts seeing unexplainable things and is followed by a mysterious stranger that makes Robbie act really weird. After a disastrous prank at school she doesn't think things could get much worse for her, but then her brother goes missing and is replaced by a nasty little changeling. Her determination and will is put to the test as she sets out into the unknown to rescue her little brother. She will need all the help she can get if she hopes to survive this adventure in one piece, even if it means temporally aligning herself with the "enemy," especially if that enemy is all so yummy to look at.

I'll admit I wasn't the biggest fan of Meghan's character in the beginning of the book. She seemed whiny and didn't show a lot of inner strength, making her seem really weak. However as the book went on I realized that she wasn't weak at all. Her strength isn't overly obvious, its more a strength of will and determination. Her potential has barely even been cracked at all, and I think as the series continues and as she matures both into herself and her powers she will truly become a force to be reckoned with as both the Fae courts fear.

The characters in this book are full of depth and history, and I feel as if we have only scratched the surface of who any of them really are. Robbie, or "Puck" is a light-hearted prankster who also seems to have a fierce loyalty to Meghan that makes me wonder if he doesn't have deeper feelings for her. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ash, the winter prince, who seems to be Puck's mortal enemy. He also cannot seem but help to soften his ice heart a little towards Meghan. Then there is the cat named Grimalkin that adds a whole lot of fun and mystery to the story. These main characters when added to the secondary ones make for an incredible mix and a delightful book to read.

While the main plot gets wound up rather nicely, this book's ending is both a cliffhanger and a promise of things to come. I look forward to reading more of Meghan's journey into discovering the side of herself that she never knew, as well as the dangers and possible joy there might be. This series has great potential and I eagerly anticipate the next book.

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