ARC Book Review: THE IRON DAUGHTER by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter

Iron Fey #2

Julie Kagawa

Source: Netgalley

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: August 01, 2010

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.

When I first started reading the Iron Daughter, I had my reservations and I was cautious as I continued reading the first paragraph of the first chapter.  But after a few sentences – oh, all right! – a few words, I was caught, netted and drawn into the electrifying world of the Fey.  And the further I walked, the more enmeshed I was and after the first chapter, I was lost.

To me, the plotline of the book faded into the background as I became entangled with the various twists and turns of the characters.  Their interactions, their words, their thoughts, their emotions were so…… that I can’t help but be swept along and I actually found myself cursing at some character ( I will not give a name) and shouting inside my room at how stupid he/she (still not giving a hint) was.

The Iron King enthralled us and introduced us to the breathtaking realm of the Nevernever.  It told us of how Meghan discovered and came to terms with her heritage whilst worrying on how to rescue her brother Ethan.  Added to the equation are the complicated politics of the Fey, the equally confusing and dangerous rules of oaths and promises plus quirky characters and weird ones and most important of all, the introduction of a new breed of fey – the one akin to this machine I am using.

However, if you think that you have seen, or in this case – read, it all, then you are mistaken.  The emotional tension and the unraveling of events were overwhelming, and the entanglement that resulted from this equation would leave you questioning preconceived notions.

But despite what you think of my blog title, I would never be as cruel as to rob you of anything and diminish your enjoyment in reading the Iron Daughter when you have the chance to do so – I WILL NOT GIVE OUT SPOILERS!

Though I will give this teensy-eensy bit:

“…but in the end, the choice has always been clear.”

More Thoughts


At the end of Iron King, we were left with a question: what will happen to Meghan in the Winter Court? What will Ash do? Will Puck come back? And who is the Iron Daughter?


The Iron Daughter answered those questions in a riveting story that captivated me so much.  But as the second book came to a close, I was left with more questions: how did the "iron daughter" came to be, well, her? What will happen to the Nevernever and the Summer and Winter courts? Who is the one leading the Iron Fey? And more importantly, what will become of Ash and Meghan, now that they made their choices?