Interview with Julie Kagawa + The Immortal Rules sneak peek + a (sort of) Giveaway!

Hi everyone!

So you've seen my review of The Iron Knight... *points to post before this* It took me a while to actually read the book because I wasn't really prepared for the series to end. Just goes to show how much I love the series that I can't quite accept that it has ended already :)

Anyway! I had a chance to ask Julie a few questions about The Iron Fey series and if you're interested, check out her answers below:

Can you pick one sentence (from any of the books in the Iron Fey series) that can describe it as a whole?

"This should be very interesting." ~Grimalkin, The Iron King.


(Okay, so that was a cheater line, but just one sentence is hard, lol.)


How did it feel writing The Iron Knight, knowing that it's the end of Meghan and Ash's story?


It was a little sad and a little scary, too. Last books come with such high expectations, and you know not everyone is going to be satisfied with it. Plus, switching to Ash's POV was a pretty big gamble; what if people hated the real Ash? But I'm very pleased with the way everything turned out for Ash and Meghan. I can leave with a sense of peace knowing their story ended exactly as it should.


Would you rather be: An Iron Fey, part of the Summer Court, or the Winter Court?


I wish I could say I was Winter, because I like snow and ice and despise the heat, but I couldn't live without my video games, so I'll have to say Iron.



Have you ever considered killing / writing off any of the major characters (Ash, Puck, Meghan, Grim) from the story?


Oh, goodness, I shudder to think of the consequences! I think the fans would kill me, lol. But I will say this, if the story demanded it, if there was no other way, then yes. But killing a main character is a very serious, solemn business and one that I do not take lightly. If, someday, I do decide to sacrifice the main character, it was because it was the only logical way the story could end.


Was there any part of it (the series as a whole or just one book) you'd want to rewrite if you had a chance?


There are a few scenes and chapters I know I could write differently now, but a writer is constantly changing and growing, and there comes a point where you just have to say you wrote the best book you could at that time and not look back.


Please tell us something about your new book, Immortal Rules! (Can we get a teaser quote from the book?)


The Immortal Rules is a post-apocalyptic vampire series, set in a world where a plague has decimated most of humanity and vampires have risen up to take control. The protagonist is a girl named Allison who suddenly finds herself turned into a vampire, and must struggle with what that means, while at the same time protecting a group of humans in their search for the vampire-free city of Eden.


And here is a small teaser:


My vampire creator told me this:

"Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. Accidentally, or as a conscious, deliberate act, it is unavoidable. The question is not if you kill them, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then. Not really.

I do now.

-----

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

AND FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

You might want to check me out on Twitter (@amaterasureads) because I will be having a flash giveaway of my ARC of The Iron Knight tomorrow (sometime around 8 pm, Philippine Time). If you haven't read it yet (WHY!?) here's your chance to read the conclusion of Ash and Meghan's story!

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.

Review: Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey #3.5) by Julie Kagawa

Oh Robin Goodfellow, you are one charming, sneaky fellow.

I admit that while I am an ardent supporter of Team Ash, Puck has just scored all the good points in this novel.

Title: Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa
Pages: 57
Release Date: June 1st 2011
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Source: publisher (its free!!!)
Get it for free HERE

Summary (from Goodreads):

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

I think the fans who have read this e-novella just went crazy. The Iron Knight's release is still ways away, and with such a tantalizing teaser e-novella such as this one, it's hard counting the days until the release of the next book.

In this short but certainly sweet and teasing story, Ash has to fulfill the favor he made with Leanansidhe, and in order to do so, he had to ask for help from the most unlikely of friends, or maybe you can say enemy both in courts and for Meghan, no other than Robin Goodfellow, and pull off a prank right into the heart of the Summer Court.

It was nice getting into Puck's head once in a while. Readers get to take a peek on what is going on through that playful mind of the most famous trickster in the Summer Court as the whole story is written in Puck's point of view. Readers who think that Puck is not getting enough "screen time" in the first three books of The Iron Fey series are in for a treat in this e-novella.

Puck has certainly gained more depth, and readers get to understand more of Robin Goodfellow in Summer's Crossing. We get to know more of his feelings for Meghan, his friendship with Ash. Readers get to know what he feels, what he thinks, the truth, for once, without having him hide it all in a facade of happiness and pretense. He might be a prankster but deep down he's still a boy, with feelings and thoughts about a lot of things. Truthfully, hearing Puck's side of things makes me wonder what could have been if Meghan chose Puck instead of Ash.

If anything, Puck's choices in this book just made me feel proud of him. That despite him being such a prankster, he is loyal and whatever has been said & done between him and Ash, they are still friends. He finally realized that Meghan can never be his, and the temptation of the offer Oberon gave just made him realize what he should do.

Ash is being his usual icy prince self, but the Unseelie Prince will steal a few more hearts with his somber, quiet personality as this book also introduce us to the start of his quest to get Meghan back, and believe me, nothing can stop the Ice Prince from doing it. Not even Puck.

Harlequin Teen does it again! Summer's Crossing just had the right amount of action and thrill, peppered with light-hearted funny jabs from Puck which will leave the readers laughing, gasping and asking for more. Highly entertaining and intensely funny, Summer's Crossing  paves a great way to The Iron Knight! So Harlequin Teen, if you are reading this review, please know that I will do anything to get my hands on an early copy of The Iron Knight!

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Hilariously funny but this book just made me love Puck!

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:
Raise your hands if you wish that there really was a boy in the cover of this novella like The Iron Knight!

Review: Winter's Passage (Iron Fey #1.5) by Julie Kagawa

Title: Winter's Passage (Iron Fey #1.5)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pages: 59
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Source: Free download (Enter the Faery World)
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

Winter's Passage is a short novella picking up from where The Iron King left off. If the aim of this short story is to satiate the hunger of the Iron Fey series fans as they wait for the next installment of the series, then it does the trick really really well!

Readers are brought back to the realm of the faeries, as Meghan travels with Ash to the Unseelie Court, fulfilling her promise to the Winter Prince in exchange for rescuing her younger brother, Ethan.

I was in for a treat as the world of the fey expanded more with this short novella. We're going to see more of the Winter Court, and a short adventure of the Summer Princess and the Winter Prince. I can't seem to get enough of Ash and Meghan! And Grimalkin comes back, alongside Ash and Meghan for another interesting adventure. Don't you just love Grim? I do!

Like The Iron King, Winter's Passage is filled with action and little bursts of romance as Ash and Meghan made their journey to the Unseelie Court, this time, with the deadliest hunter the Fey world ever had, hot on their tracks, one who's older and more powerful that Ash himself, The Big Bad Wolf.

I'm pretty sure there arenhints and clues in this novella about what we can expect in The Iron Daughter / The Iron Queen? There was something symbolic about Meghan's dream of The Iron King. Also, we get to know The Winter Prince, Ash, more. Ash might have been born an Ice Prince, but he is unlike his older brothers, torn between his duty and his love for Meghan.

This is an exciting prelude to the Iron Daughter. Winter's Passage is a fun read that would make you wish you have The Iron Daughter next to you so you can pick it up and start reading right away!

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:

I think the cover gives us the biggest clue as to what this ancient creature is that is stalking Ash and Meghan. I love the colors used, its almost like I can feel the coldness with the fog and the icy feeling it gives off.