The Iron Daughter — Julie Kagawa

From Amazon...

"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."

After my struggles with The Iron King, I found that I was much more "into" this book than its predecessor — but that could probably be chalked up to my haste in reading "The Iron King."

"The Iron Daughter" opens with Meghan held captive (or forced guest) by the Winter Fey. I'm not sure why, but the vision of Meghan freezing while wearing "sweatpants, gloves, a thick sweater, and a wool hat" has stuck with me the entire book (12). Maybe because in Northern Minnesota that's what the majority of my wardrobe consists of or maybe because I'm always cold — I don't know — but it's the one quote I continually think of from this novel. Speaking of Meghan: I struggle with her. I want to like her — but I don't. Maybe its her fascination with Ash, who is mean to her 95% of the time. But maybe it's a good thing — all characters aren't meant to be liked, maybe just evoking a "strong dislike" for her is proof enough that her character is well written.

Ironhorse, now there's a character I liked (in this novel anyway); although, it really peeves me that this dialogue was ONLY IN CAPS! IMAGINE READING THIS WHENEVER YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER WAS SPEAKING. TALK ABOUT A SLIGHT HEADACHE. Not a fan of the caps. I wish that he could have spurred (no pun intended) a kink into the love triangle to make it a love... square? I thought that would have been really interesting. I also wish more there were more descriptions of him in his human form; I envisioned a dressed in black rebel without a cause... but that's just me.

Can I just say (random I know), that I wish I could find a trod into the Fey World — I think I'd probably end up being Summer Fey because of the atmosphere, but I prefer the Winter season over Summer... and at the same time, maybe I'd be Iron Fey — what with all the gadgets I could never leave behind.

Moving on.

I think it's obvious by now that I am Team Puck. The teenager in me yearns for Ash and his brooding nature (Mr. Darcy anyone?) and how by pushing Meghan further away she only pushes harder back at him. But the adult in me, adores how Puck loves Meghan even after she misleads him and takes him for granted. That constant love is what, to me, real romance is. Of course, the ending of "The Iron Daughter" leaves me... how shall I say without spoiling anything... stranded. I can say I am very clearly TEAM PUCK.

There were a few things left hanging at the end of "The Iron Daughter" including some sketchy favors and promises by Grim but most notably Leanansidhe. I'm still completely in the dark as to why she would help the three so completely and not expect anything in return. I'm guessing she plays a larger role in "The Iron Queen."

I think it's a safe assumption as to who "The Iron Daughter" is and with Ironhorse's comment we can further assume who the "The Iron Queen" is. I feel like this plot line is devastatingly straight forward and predictable so I'm hoping for a twist with "The Iron Queen." All in all, I'm hoping that "The Iron Daughter" has March off on the right foot.

Quick disclaimer: Of the three books, this is my least favorite cover.
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Cover: 6/10
Overall: 48/60 B

To the FTC, with love: Library Loan

The Best Reader + TIME

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The Iron Daughter — Julie Kagawa + TIME