Summary: Meghan Chase is not your average teenager. She is a loner who lives in the country. She dreams of being popular, dating the football captain, and owning better technology. She doesn't fit in with anyone, or anywhere. The only two people that accept her are her four-year-old little brother and her best friend Robbie. Her world is turned upside down when her little brother is kidnapped by fey. She must venture to the faery world to save him, with few allies, only to discover that she is the daughter of the faery king and his enemies want to use her as a pawn. In a world full of endless choices and paths Meghan must choose carefully if she is to save her brother and restore balance to the faery world.Thoughts: I've read a fair amount of faery books, and this competing to be my favorite. It is the first book of the Iron Fae series, and waiting for the next book will surely be torture. If you're a fan of fantasy, adventure, or romance this is the book for you. Kagawa's writing pulls you into the world that she has created. Her descriptions give your mind vivid detail without being too long, which is perfect for teen readers. Her characters are also well developed and thoughtful. It is a fast read, (I read it in a day)because you don't want to put it down.
For Parents/Teachers: I'd recommend this book to anyone from middle-school up. There is a little violence, but nothing graphic. There are few swears, I recall dammit being used. Other than that it is fully age appropriate for pre-teens and teenagers. The heroine has a strong mind and she is independent. She isn't afraid to make her own decisions but she respects authority. The Iron King deals with a variety of issues: step-parents, much younger siblings, teasing/bullies, deceased parent, somewhat absent parents, need for independence, and crushes/young love. There is teen angst but it it not overwhelming, nor is it the focal point of the story. It really is more of a coming-of-age tale than anything else.
Rating: 4.5/5
For fans of: Lament, Ballad, The Last Unicorn, and general fantasy.
