Review: The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

All good things must come to an end.

I am sure book lovers all over the world understands this, but I didn't really want for this series to end. Ever. But this is the final book, and right now I am a total mess after leafing through the last page. I felt like a chapter of my life has ended as well.

Title: The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 2011 (US) / January 2012 (UK)
Published by: Harlequin Teen / Mira Ink
Source: Publisher (thanks Lucy and Tashya!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

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.

Ash just had to have the final say in this epic story, and I am not complaining. I don't think I need to explain the plot anymore. If you think The Iron Queen is such an emotional book, then prepare to have your heart trampled on while reading The Iron Knight.

The formidable Winter Prince got broken in more ways than one in this book. To be whole again, he had to be broken down piece by piece. Ash had to feel and know what it's like to be a human, to be aware of his sins, to feel the hurt he has caused, to grow a conscience, to feel what it's like to wither away when the ones he loves remains the same, to have everything he wants in his hands just to be taken away because he will eventually die if he chose to become human. All of this to be with Meghan once again and to keep his promise and be by her side.

It hurts to see the cold, unfeeling, once mighty Winter Prince go through the countless trials and struggles he had to face. We always read of male leads in books saying that they are prepared to give up everything just to be with the one they love, but it's only with Ash that made me feel like he was really making a genuine sacrifice with the oath he has made. Because he had his doubts about it, second thoughts, worries, fears. There were times when he was swayed, when he wanted to give up. The physical battles were nothing compared to the emotional conflicts Ash had to endure. And for the first time in the whole series, I am in awe of seeing how Ash's character finally unraveled. He's finally more than just the eternal brooding, stunning Winter Prince. I think I loved Ash a little bit more because of that. Will you trade immortality and power for love? Some say it's madness, but not with Ash. I am sad to see the cold facade of the Prince melt away, but I think I appreciated him more because he can finally be free to feel and be with the ones he loves. If there's anyone else in the book that deserves a happy ending, it's definitely Ash. It didn't make him less the person readers fell in love with, getting a soul just made him a person we'd love even more.

I couldn't even think of Puck properly but what certainly made me enamored with this series more is how the characters have evolved so much. Sure, Puck will always be the joker but we finally see some sense in Robin Goodfellow's character. The sarcastic jibes, the unnecessary quips and generally his talkative self is still there, but Puck finally understood and ultimately made the decision to let go. If it weren't for him, the entire series would be extremely boring. Thanks Robin Goodfellow for the laughs.

I thought we have seen all there is that the story has to offer, but there were certainly more surprises and twists in store for the readers, one final burst of shock, surprise, delight and a great wave of breath taking moments because The Iron Knight gives us all one final great adventure, and I have to say I loved every moment I've spent reading of it. Characters we don't expect to appear like the Big Bad Wolf and Ash and Puck's long lost love, Ariella, made this book a totally different experience than the rest of the Iron Fey series. And what made it more satisfying? We get to read it all through the point of view of the most intriguing character in the series, Ash. I've always wondered what goes on in the mind of the Unseelie Prince and I wasn't disappointed at all. Experiencing the world of Nevernever through his eyes was one of a kind.

I was an emotional mess when it was time to end the adventure. I cried a little during powerful moments and believe me when I say there were plenty. Things always seem a little grim for Ash. I was left breathless by the sweet yet fleeting moments of romance. But the one constant thing I did? I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. I just couldn't bring myself to stop flipping through the pages and even though I dread reaching the end, I knew I had to find out how it all came to a close.

There's no doubt about it, The Iron Knight is a stunning conclusion of an excellent story. Julie Kagawa is an amazing writer and she just had to write something brilliant and beautiful to end Meghan and Ash's story. The world of the fey is something I would want to visit over and over again. Thanks Julie, for crafting such a gem of a book and a series. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to friends I have known for a long time when I finished reading this.

The one thing I am sure to say to readers who are looking for a great book: Read the Iron Fey series. You will never be disappointed, I promise!

My rating:

Content (plot, story flow, character):

All the butterflies in the world couldn't possibly be used to measure just how great this book is!

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:

My most favorite Prince!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.