Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: August 1, 2010
Genre: YA, fantasy
Pages: 288 (ebook)
Series: Iron Fey
1. The Iron King (review)
2. The Iron Daughter
3. The Iron Queen (January 25, 2011)
4. The Iron Knight (October 26, 2011)

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
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.

From Goodreads

I was a little afraid about what I’d find in the pages of The Iron Daughter. I was afraid to see the way Ash treated Meghan because I knew how much it would break her heart and mine, even if he was doing it to protect her. From a romantic point of view, this book was brutal. But it also kept me turning the pages because I knew Ash couldn’t keep up the facade forever, no matter how much he wanted to protect her.

And just like the first book, it was packed full of action and stuff happening. The great thing is that Kagawa can write in such a way that she can pack lots of stuff into a story without it seeming rushed or like there’s too much going on. When the plot really explodes and the ball starts rolling, it gets crazy in the Nevernever. Ash flip flops so much it’s got your head spinning. Grimalkin is useful... when he decides to show up. Puck adds confusion, and yet also comfort. And Ironhorse is a surprising ally.

Although poor Meghan is distracted by her conflicted feelings for Ash, she still manages to be a pretty badass girl who’s intent on her purpose and not willing to falter. She may be pretty damaged because of Ash, but she still have her priorities straight. First, prevent a war between the Summer and Winter Courts. After that, everything else.

I’m very interested to see where this story goes next, especially after the ending that Kagawa gave us. The titles also increase my curiosity. I can see now how “The Iron Daughter” is a good title for the second book, and now I want to see why the next is called The Iron Queen.