Review: The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey#3) by Julie Kagawa

Note: This review is for the third book of The Iron Fey series and may therefore contain spoilers. Click here for the review of the first book and here for the review of the second book.

RATINGS: 5/5

I am 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.

I am trying my best to write a coherent review for this book, one that will do this book justice, but sometimes when you read a really good book it is almost impossible to express into words the feelings that the book leaves you with. The Iron Queen is one such book.

Our MC, Meghan Chase, who is forever going to be one of my favorite female leads in literature comes a long way from being the quiet, shy sixteen-year-old she was in the first book. Though she does not lose her humor or her endearing moments of awkwardness, by the events of The Iron Queen she has matured and grown into a strong, assertive leader who knows what she wants and is not afraid to do what needs to be done. And through it all, despite his need to protect her, Ash sees the change in Meghan and eventually steps into the role of being her strongest supporter instead of protector–and I absolutely loved the resultant change in the dynamics of their relationship. Ash and Meghan, by the end of the third book, become relationship goals: they are, in one word, a team, and it is by far the most beautiful relationship I have seen in a YA novel.

Speaking of Ash, I couldn’t help but notice how his time with Meghan makes him more compassionate towards humans and acknowledge that despite being mere mortals, we are strong in our own ways.

Again, speaking of Ash, the banters between him and Puck were classic. And so were the commentaries/compliments/insults by Grimalkin. They added lightness and humor to the story, making it the kind of book that makes your heart race and dissolve into laughing fits at the same time.

Along with these amazing and absolutely lovable characters, you have Kagawa’s remarkable writing. With every page, you can’t help but be immersed in the world of fey. The battle scene was my particular favorite–it was perfectly described, and I felt as if I was in the battle fighting alongside my favorite characters.

And that ending.

 

Erm…yeah that ending broke my heart into a seven million pieces. Let’s just keep it at that.

Despite the amount of tears I shed after reading the ending, and the overwhelming feeling of unfairness, I thought the ending was perfectly logical, realistic, and as tragic as it was, it was meant to happen. 

I am still crying though.

You should definitely keep a box of tissue and a stress-ball nearby if you pick this up.

Hats off to Julie Kagawa for this beautiful series. Words can’t describe how much I love and adore The Iron Fey books. To quote Meghan Chase herself:

“It was…quite a ride. Wasn’t it?”

Yes. Yes, it was. And I am so happy to have been a part of the adventure.

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(NOTE: According to Kagawa, this was supposed to be the final book but as we all know a fourth book, The Iron Knight, has been released to conclude the series. As excited as I am for a happier ending, I still believe ending the series with The Iron Queen would have been a better idea as it counts for a more emotional read.

Or maybe I am just a masochist. )

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What’s your most beloved series and why? Tell me in the comments below!