The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2)

"We see you, Meghan Chase. You will not escape."

In The Iron Daughter, the second book of the Iron Fey series, the half-human/half-faery Meghan Chase returns to Winter Court with Ash. A major betrayal, a stolen scepter, and a series of misunderstandings leads to a declaration of war between the Winter and Summer Courts.

For me, some of the magic from The Iron King has worn off. Meghan's boomeranging emotions and inability to think rationally when it comes to Ash is beginning to grow tiresome. He loves her, he loves her not. Every time Ash denies his feelings for Meghan, something that occurs with irritating frequency in this book, we readers know he doesn't mean it. So why doesn't Meghan? She falls to pieces one moment and is in near ecstasy the next.

But there is plenty to like in The Iron Daughter. Meghan's stalwart allies - Puck, Grimalkin, and Ironhorse - remain by her side. A new character, Leanansidhe, a total diva and more than a little dangerous, breathes some fresh air into the story. And Julie Kagawa's ability to paint a beautiful, mystical world is still firmly in place. I'm not giving up on this series. The ending gives me hope that my problems with this book will not be an issue with the next one, and we're left with a juicy cliffhanger that I want to see play out.

Back in 2010 I stumbled upon Julie Kagawa's first book, The Iron King, by chance. I picked it up, saw that it was about fey, read it, and completely fell in love. Ever since then I've been trying to find the time to pick up the rest of the series! Meghan, Ash, and Puck are some of my favorite characters. I was so eager to see what would happen to them. Let me tell you, once you're in their world there is not turning back. Anyway, I digress. On to the review!

The Iron Daughter was everything that I was hoping it would be. Once more I was dragged into the land of the fey, and I went willingly and excitedly. What I really enjoyed about this second book was Meghan's character. In the first story she proved herself to be strong protagonist. I loved her fire, and her "never say never" attitude. Well, all that is back! However what is even more amazing is that the reader actually gets to see Meghan grow in this book. She isn't a little girl anymore and, even though she has some tough decisions to make, I adored how strong she was the entire time.

That's not to say Meghan doesn't have any emotions. She cries, she hurts, she falls for guys she shouldn't and has to make difficult choices because of it. It's all very realistic to be honest. Ash and Puck are both back in this installment of the series, and better than ever in my mind. Yes, I'm still torn on the whole debate of who I love more. Ash is so brooding, but Puck is so funny! Either way, it's easy to see why Meghan is so torn between the two. It's nice that Julie Kagawa allows her character to be so independent from the men in her life. Meghan needs them, but she also knows how to hold her own.

In terms of plot, the Iron Daughter answered a lot of the questions I had left over from last time! It was nice to see those wrapped up. I was a little saddened that the story ended where it did. Still, I see that there is a lot of potential for the next in the series. Of course you know I'll be picking that up. Long story short, I really enjoyed this book! It wasn't my favorite of the series, but there were a lot of great components. I cannot wait for more.

Meghan has fulfilled her contract with Ash the winter prince, and is now a 'guest' in the Winter Palace under the eyes of Queen Mab. She is eyed as a little snack to most of the residents of the Unseelie court and the protection of the Queen is the only thing stopping her from being eaten. Ash is blocking out Meghan, and her only chance of escaping (aka. Puck) is dying in a tree in Disney Land. Things cannot get that much worse for the daughter of Oberon.

I think that Julie Kagawa has hit more on the mark with the whole fey thing. She has managed them to look more evil then before, more spiteful and dangerous. She has reflected their personalities on humans, but has enhanced them to make them more extreme.

The star-crossed lovers in this book has now become like a lot of other books. Meghan is completely gone way to far with her love for Ash. She shuts off everyone else and only focuses on him, not good. He is a whole world, but she is only sixteen, and Ash is eons old. It is not good to make someone your whole world at such a young age, as when you lose them, their is nothing else to live. I think that she is way to in love with Ash and that she has some major issues in that area.

Meghan is also like one of those characters that are always cheering on the sideline, hoping that her handsome prince will protect her. That will not always happen, so she needs to pick up her game. All she has ever done has been pure fluke, she has no skill what so ever. She has only ever thrown a few pebbles at a dude's head, and that has done nothing to help Ash. She needs to not be so pathetic.

The Iron Daughter was a good book, but not so amazing as the Iron King. I think what made me not like it as much was that Meghan is way to in love with Ash. Stupid girl, it is not worth leaving the NeverNever for just one guy that will out live you by thousands of years, she was stupid with that decision.