Monday 2 December 2013

Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa


Title: The Iron Traitor
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: 1st  November 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: 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

Kierran, Kierran, Kierran. What are we to do with you? The Iron Traitor was a heartbreaking, game-changing book that impacts every character, especially Kierran and Ethan. Their story just got more complicated. Julie Kagawa might be the Queen of Cliff-hangers because this book sure serves up a dozy.  When you get to the end of this book, you will want to shout and count down the days until the next book comes out. The title is very indicative of the story as we explore Kierran’s decent into the dark. This book stirs feelings of unease. Feelings which multiple and grow, only to cumulate in a heartbreaking conclusion. This Iron Fey story sure does deliver, however it is not as good as The Lost Prince.

The land of the Fey is lavish and rich and always full of surprises and surreal landscapes. Kagawa balances myth, action and emotion perfectly to create characters and a story worth investing both time and emotions in. The action is superb. I love how martial arts and sword fighting go hand and hand with this series.  There is so much beautiful detail woven into the land of the Fey. Just in this book alone, there are ancient creatures, a goblin market, very thin assassins and one pissed of summer queen. Kagawa’s writing is effortless to read and immediately pulls you back into the world of the Fey. This time around Ethan is pulled back into the land of the fey to find Kierran who has gone missing. Assisted by Kenzie and Kierran’s beloved Annywl, Ethan sets out to help the Iron Prince, only to find out that sometimes the price is too high. This book is all about consequences and the lengths that someone will go to for love. The price for love comes at a cost that might just be too high for either Ethan or Kierran to pay.  Off course Ash, Grim, Puck and Megan are always around to lend a helping hand.

Character growth is abundant In the Iron Traitor. The Lost Prince has affected how characters behave. It has also changed their motivations, especially Kierrans. In this book you can see quite clearly see how the characters have changed and how they will continue to evolve.  Ethan, who once swore to never have anything to do with the Fey, is slowly coming to accept his place among them. He now knows he can’t ignore them. He is learning how to cope with having them in his life. Ethan is also learning to deal with unresolved issues with his sister.  He’s very loyal towards his family and goes to great lengths to help his nephew.  We get to learn more about Kenzi’s family.  Kenzie is intelligent, wise and a force to be reckoned with. She never backs down from a fight and always supports her friends. Once she sets her mind to something she never backs down.  Her relationship with Ethan has some ups and downs as these two navigate their complicated relationship. Kierran is the person you want to shake and yell at. You can see the desperation in his actions. You can slowly see the small steps he takes towards his downfall as he digs himself into a massive hole. Even though Kierran invokes a lot of anger, his actions still elicit sympathy as he is placed in a tough situation.

The cliffghanger will change everything.  I can’t wait for the next instalment.  An emotional book that is a must read for all Iron Fey fans.

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