chapter_adventure's Reviews (801)

This is a hard one to rate. It's a bit slow moving, repetitive, and boring at times. It's also quite sad and leaves you with this feeling of hopeless melancholy as you work your way through it. I may not have finished it had I not been listening to the audio. I think I kept listening because I could, in some way, relate to some of the emotions in this book. I'm not sure you would like this book if you couldn't look past the very basic plot line to the messages hidden in between. The truth about Harold's past was a heartbreaking and although, there was some resolve in the end, it wasn't done with any fanfare and left me still feeling a bit sad. But I can appreciate it because it's what reality sometimes is and I liked the realness of it.

The redeeming factor for this book is the cliff hanger at the end. It really did amp up the excitement in this book. But really, they basically just did a lot of trudging around between the mortal world and the fairy world, not getting much of anywhere. There were a lot of dead ends and a lot of plot lines that ended up being unnecessary for me because they didn't get them anywhere. I know a lot of people are gushing over this book but I didn't find it all that inventive. It's a decent book but I'm not sure I'll continue with the series.

The last time I read a book involving fey was probably two or three years ago. This book reminded me that I love that element in a fantasy story. Such cunning little creatures. They always make for an interesting adventures. I kind of found this series late in the game and never read Meghan's story. But I was told that I could start with this book because although it's part of Meghan's world, it's a whole new storyline. I really didn't feel that I was missing much of anything. Kagawa does a great job of filling in the blanks while still making me want to go back and read the original Iron Fey books. Speaking of Kagawa's writing, isn't it awesome? I really appreciate when authors let teenagers act like teenagers. Yes, there were the typical jocks and cheerleaders and that, but I didn't find it annoying or overpowering in the story. It was just there in the background. Also, the parents are involved whereas some authors just mysteriously make the parents not exist at all. Kagawa at least addresses their reactions when Kenzie and Ethan disappear for days at a time. I found that Kenzie and Ethan were very likeable characters- both tough but vulnerable in their own way. I enjoyed reading about their journey through the Nevernever and think I'll make it a point to go back and read the beginning 4 books in the Iron Fey series.