I’ve just spent an enjoyable few days with Julie Kagawa’s The Iron King.
Her inventive fey (faery) world pulled me right in. It’s one of those imagined worlds that has you amazed at the detail and the thought that went in behind it. This book seems to be marketed to girls (from the cover and the fact that it’s published by Harlequin Teen), but I think that this book would appeal to young men or women who are interested in fantasy. In fact, there’s a good bit of battle, which was one of the factors that reminded me a lot of The Lord of the Rings.
While we are on the subject of the publisher, don’t let the “Harlequin” label fool you. Just as you probably did if you haven’t read Harlequin lately, or checked out Harlequin Teen, I thought of bodice-ripping heroes and smarmy love stories, but this is not your mother’s Harlequin! This is very fast-paced, modern, and original teen fiction.
To make another comparison, I’ve heard that a lot of moms of teen girls are looking for a series with a strong heroine (in contrast to the lovelorn and Bella from Twilight). May I introduce Meghan Chase? At least so far, she’s a strong heroine. Not perfect, not always wise or always using her head, but the whole reason that she is on this mission is to selflessly risk her life to save her four-year-old brother’s.
This is a fantasy adventure that will also appeal to fans of dystopian fiction, because the faery land has fallen into disrepair because of the harmful effects of iron in the world that the Iron King is using against them. It’s suspenseful, imaginative, and a little bit scary as well.
Find out more about the author at Julie Kagawa.com and more about the series at the Iron Fey site. While you’re there, you can read the first three chapters of The Iron King, and download the novella Winter’s Passage (also available on your Kindle at amazon), which bridges the first novel to the second, The Iron Daughter (August 2010).
Are you intrigued?
We have a great prize package (U.S. shipping addresses only):
- One reader will receive a $25 Visa Gift Card and an autographed copy of The Iron King
- Three Runners up will receive a copy of The Iron King
Leave a comment if you would like to win. We’ll announce the winners on July 7.This giveaway is now closed.
Jennifer Donovan has a fantasy-loving 11-year-old daughter, and a non-fiction reading 6-year-old son. She blogs about their life in Connecticut at Snapshot.
Oh no I’m the first commenter! Because Ilsa, my daughter, would LOVE LOVE LOVE this one! Hope we win anyway.
sounds intriguing….sign me up
I’m adding my name to the list–and adding this title to my TBR list.
But you’d better not be lying in promising that this ISN’T a bodice-ripper. I’d be very unhappy if it turned out to be one after all.
This is indeed intriguing. Please count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
This one sounds really good. Love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Sounds like a good story! There is a lot of really good young adult fiction out there that I’ve enjoyed, so it never scares me off.
This sounds like a good read for me and then pass it to my 14 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the super giveaway.
It sounds like a great book, I would love to have it.
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I read Winter Passage which is an enovella. I really enjoyed it.
I actually have a copy of this so I do not want to be in the contest but I wanted to say ho much I agree with you about the Harlequin Teen name. I was worried that it was going to be all romance since I saw “Harlequin” (not that there is anything wrong with that just not for me) anyways, there are some great things coming out of Harlequin such as this series and the Rachel Vincent Soul Screamers series. Great review, I love this book too!
I think my son would love this book. Thanks for the review!
I would love to win! I am a follower by email!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a great book. I am a huge fan of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy and if it is anything like that, I know I would enjoy it.
I’d LOVE to win. I’ve heard of this book before, and it sounded interesting then (sort of a different take on The Labyrinth?) so I’d like to read it. 🙂
Thank you very much for the giveaway!
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com
Please pick me! What fun!
I would really love to win this book. I love the cover are too!
Smiles,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
sounds good and lots better than Bella Swan.
This book sounds fascinating.
Sounds interesting! I’d love to win!
What an awesome looking book 🙂 I would love to read this book and then I want to send it on to my sister – it is exactly her kind of book.
This sounds interesting. Thanks for offering it!
Great prize pack! I’d love to win!
My son is really into fantasy books so I’d love the chance to win this one. Thanks.
Please add my name to your contest.
Thanks!
Wow, great contest!! I’ve wanted to read this one for a while. I’d love to win!!! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love this! Great contest! Wanted to read for a while.
Thanks for the contest!
This book is at the top of my to-read list! I want it so bad. Here’s hoping I win. 🙂
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I really hope I win this to add to the class library.
ooohhh — I would like to win.
Count me in! This is definitely at the top of to-be-read list!
Looks good…different and interesting, thanks.
I think my granddaughter would enjoy this.
Sounds like a book for our house hold.
Sounds great! Sign me up for the drawing!
I would love to win, it looks great! Thanks!