I is for Iron Queen

Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal
Release: February, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5

Description: 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.

Review: Julie Kagawa does it again. I tell you, I have enjoyed this series. For those who don't know (where have you been), this is book #3 in the Iron Fey series. Book #1 is The Iron King and book #2 is The Iron Daughter.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• It was slow at times, especially at the beginning.

• I have to wait for book #4, The Iron Knight.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• Meghan's growth. In my review for The Iron Daughter, I mention how I found her to be whiny at times. I'm glad to say she's matured considerably. She's more confident in her abilities. She's deeply in love with Ash, but not to where she can't let him go. And man is she kick ass in this book! I like Meghan more now than in the previous 2 books. Seriously.

• I like Ash's growth. We saw more emotion in this book. While I'm still Team Puck, I actually like Ash's and Meghan's relationship here.

• Puck is able to let Meghan go. He still loves Meghan and would rather she be with him, but he didn't let the fact that she chose Ash stop him from fighting with them. A lesser man would've left them to fight on their own, but not Puck. Can Puck please have his own book? PLEASE? It would be so awesome if he found love. *sigh*
  

• Oh, the action! Like I've said before, I'm an action junkie. Give me a book or a movie that pumps up the adrenaline and I'm a happy woman! The fight scenes here...I could so imagine them on the big screen.

• Ms. Kagawa's world building. Her descriptions are awesome.

• The book pulled my emotions, especially towards the end. I felt Meghan's emotions.

• The ending. Whoa boy that ending. I did NOT expect it, but boy did I love it.

The Iron Queen is awesome. Point blank. I'm so looking forward to see what Ash is going to do in The Iron Knight. I. Can't. Wait.

Book Review: The Iron Daughter

Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult; Paranormal; Fiction; Fantasy
Release Date: August 2010
Source: Library
Rating: 4/5

Description: 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, iron-bound 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 alone 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.

Review: This is the second book in the Iron Fey series - the first book being, The Iron King. I loved book #1, so of course, I wanted to read book #2. I liked The Iron King better, but that usually happens with series. The Iron Daughter was good, though. I did like it.

What I Didn't Like...

• My only issue with this book is the Meghan/Ash relationship. Her moping over him and her undying devotion to him was kind of annoying to me. I can't get with the whole "moping over a guy cos he doesn't love me/woe is me" attitude. That's just me. Teen girls may relate to Meghan. I don't know. And am I the only one who prefers Puck over Ash, anyway? I'm still hoping she wakes up and falls for Puck. I'm not crazy about icy, emotionless, yet sexy guys. Just like I've always preferred Jacob over Edward in Twilight.

What I Did Like...

• Julie Kagawa does an excellent job with her creative worldbuilding. Her descriptions are spot on.
• I could feel Meghan's emotions. While I didn't like her devotion to Ash, I felt her emotions.
• I LOVE the cover. I'm a big fan of captivating covers and this is one of them.
• I love the characters of Ironhorse and Grimalkin. Very endearing.
• The twist in the story that happens when Meghan meets Leanansidhe, the Dark Muse.
• I love Meghan's growth. She develops into a stronger character.

Once again, Julie Kagawa does a wonderful job with this book. I'm so excited cos I have an ARC of book #3, Iron Queen, which comes out this month.

2011 Reading Challenges

Obviously my blog has the same look. The new look is coming, I promise. Also, I've been sick with sinuses (ugh), so this week, I won't be blogging as much. Next week, I'll be back in the game!

Now, on to other things. It's that time of year again...time to join reading challenges. Here are a list of challenges I've decided to join. At the end of this post, I'll list the names of some of the books I plan to read and the challenges they belong to. Some of the books qualify for more than on challenge. Now, the thing this year for me is to actually review the books. Last year, I completed most of my challenge lists, but forgot to review. This year, I'm trying to do more book reviews this year.

This challenge is hosted by The Story Siren . The goal is to read at least 12 from new Young Adult/Middle Grade authors.

Ok, I saw this one and knew I had to join! I absolutely LOVE kick ass heroines! Yvonne over at Diva Bookcase is hosting it. All you need to do is read at least twelve books featuring kick ass heroines. The heroines do not have to be the main character, but a big part of the story. The books must be read in 2011.

The purpose of this challenge is for readers to diversify their reading and send a message to publishers: we want more PoC literature and less of white washing of covers. You can sign up here. I'm going for Level 4 or 5.

• Level 1: Read 1-3 POC books
• Level 2. Read 4-6 POC books
• Level 3. Read 7-9 POC books
• Level 4. Read 10-15 POC books
• Level 5. Read 16-25 POC books

This challenge is hosted by Jamie at For The Love of YA. Anyone can join. There are four levels. I'm thinking I'm gonna go for Level 3.

• The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
• The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
• The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
• The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

This challenge is hosted at I Eat Words. Books must be MG or YA and all series must have at least 3 books by the end of 2011. I'll start with Level 3.

• Level 1-Trying it Out 3-5 Books
• Level 2-Making an Effort 6-8 Books
• Level 3-Working Hard 9-12 Books
• Level 4-Fully Committed 13-16 Books
• Level 5-Beyond Obsessed 17-22 Books
• Level 6-Addicted and Loving It 23-30 Books

I figured I can get some adult reading in this year, too. This challenge is hosted by Naida at The Bookworm. All you have to do is read at least 5 romance books. Romance can be anywhere from regency romance to YA romance...as long as there's a love story between the two main characters.

CHALLENGE BOOK LIST - There are many more books on my list, but here are a few to start off. In most of the series books, I've already read book one.

* DAC - Debut Author Challenge; KAC - Kick Ass Heroine Challenge; POC - People of Color Challenge; YAC - YA Challenge; YASC - YA Series Challenge; RRC - Romance Reading Challenge

• Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa (KAC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa (KAC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Kick - Walter Dean Myers & Ross Workman (POC, YAC)
• The Divas: India - Victoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• The Divas: Veronique - Victoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• The Divas: Aaliyah - Voctoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Here Lies Bridget - Paige Harbison (DAC)
• Vampire Huntress Books (12 in all) - L.A. Banks (KAC, POC, RRC)
• Shadow Walker - L.A. Banks (KAC, POC)
• Manifest - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Mystify - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Mayhem - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Lost Voices - Sarah Porter (DAC)
• Famous - Simone Bryant (POC, YAC)
• Rival - Sara Bennett Wealer (DAC)
• How Lamar's Bad Prank Won A Bubba-Sized Trophy - Crystal Allen (DAC, POC)
• OyMG - Amy Fellner Dominy (DAC, YAC)
• Exorsistah: X Returns - Claudia Mair Burney (KAC, POC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Exorsistah: X Restored - Claudia Mair Burney (KAC, POC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• When The Stars Go Blue - Cardidad Ferrer (KAC, POC, YAC, RRC)