Review- The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 3rd (The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure)

Pages: 393

Published: April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373211128

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Vengeance will be hers.  Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.  Monster. Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.  In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone. THE FINAL HUNT IS ON. 

I Give This ...

The end of another great series by Julie Kagawa.  It's always bittersweet.  This series has been a great addition to the vampire genre.  

I was a little afraid that Allison was losing herself for awhile.  I knew the thought of Zeke's death would be hard for Allisoon.  But, her humanity has been way to big a part of her.  I never thought that losing him would cause her to loose faith in it.  Thankfully she's not that way for long because she needs that spark to defeat Sarren.   Her humanity is what makes her special and one of the reasons Kanin admires her so much.   

Sarren manages to surprise me again with his sadistic nature.  He knows just how to lure in Allison and Kanin.   I felt like Sarren was just testing them most of the time.  If it turned out he managed to kill one of them along that way, that would be just an added bonus.  He wants them to know what he is doing and to be there to see him unleash his no virus and know that they can do nothing to stop it.

I felt the end was fitting for the whole story.   It was one of the books that left me doubting until the very end.  It wasn't a feel good happy ending though.  just enough hope that the world can start anew. 

Anxiously awaiting Julie Kagawa's next book! 

 

 

 

Review - The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Traitor

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 2nd (The Lost Prince)

Pages: 304

Published: October 29th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373210916

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

 

 

Description: In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice. After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as normal as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for; his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, normal simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all. 

 

I Give This ...

 

Oh how I love this world that Julie Kagawa has created.  But, I kind of struggled with this one.  All the elements that I know and adore are still there.  But there was one element that got to me.  And yet, I knew it was coming.

Ethan really has his work cut out for him.  Try as he might he can not escape who he is.  He connections to the Nevernever will always drag him back into that world even when its the last thing he would rather do.  I love how despite the image he tried to portray, he has a heart of gold.  He can't say no to the summer fairy who comes calling asking for help in finding Keirran.  He tries to protect Kenzie by trying to drive her away.  I was also surprised when he tells his parents the through in hopes that it might stop them from worrying even a little.  Then turns around and gives his dad the slip when he tries to come with him.  But, fate has it in for Ethan.

 

And this is the part of the story I had a hard time with me.  All because of Kierran.  I so desperately wanted him to rise about the prophecy.  But, things have a way of turning out exactly how it was suppose to me.  I wanted it to be an accident or something of that nature.  Instead we see Kierran become deluded in his quest to save Annwyl.  His wiliness to do whatever possible had me questioning his love for her.  She was ready to let go and fade.  He had to know that what he was ready to do would go far beyond what Annwly would want.  I can't imagine that she would be willing forgive him for his actions.  It honestly made me wonder if there is not some darker force at work here.  I think that its possible that the Queen of the Forgotten has worked some sort of spell over Kierran and that this isn't about Annwyl at all.

Despite the fact that I want to punch Kierran (that's putting it lightly), I still love this story.  I want to step into it and go on adventures with these characters.  Kagawa breathes so much life into this world that I can't help but be almost ill at the ending.  Such a long wait until the last book. 

Review - The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 2nd (The Immortal Rules)

Published: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373210695

Source:  Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.  Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

I Give This ...

I've decided that for the time being every subject Kagawa touches turns to gold.  I liked The Immortal Rules, even though I thought I was done with vampires.   This one makes it evident that even a tired subject matter can be given new life and then sustain it.

Allison may be a vampire, but she is trying desperately to hold on to her humanity.  She leaves Zeke because she wants him to have a normal life.  She make a bargain with Jackal because she knows she needs him if she ever hopes to find Kanin and defeat Sarren.  She never stops to think about the fact that her behavior is not typical for a vampire.  Her life is so tied up into others when that is one of the main things that Kanin told her to be wary of.

I really do enjoy the relationship between Zeke and Allison.  It's admirable how they have learned to forgive each other their faults and still find themselves in love with each other.  Something that is hard for both of them to do (I think more so on Zeke's part).  But, I found that Jackal completely enthralled me.  He's got a wicked sense of humor and I never knew which way his loyalties truly lied.  That twist alone gave the story a whole know level of enjoyment.

I love it when an author doesn't shy away from the gruesome nature that comes with certain types of characters.  Kagawa's vampires are what I think they should be.  Add in the twisted nature of Sarren, and you have a completely sadistic vampire.  We don't get detailed scenes thankfully, but we get the idea of what he is capable of.    

I loved this book!  And with one hell of a cliffhanger, I will definitely be reading the next one!  

 

 

Review - Iron's Prophecy (The Iron Fey #4.5) by Julie Kagawa

Title: Iron's Prophecy

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 4.5 (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight)

Pages: 67

Published:  September 1st 2012 by Harlequin TEEN 

Source: Personal

Description: Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.  But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…
I Give This ...

  

I'm a sucker for The Iron Fey series.  I don't normally read novella's, but I always want more of this world.  This short little story was perfect.

I love the little glimpse of Meghan's life as the Iron Queen.  The little quirks that make this kingdom run are interesting.  I enjoyed the little bit of interaction we get between Ash and Meghan.  It seems I can't get enough of the relationship between these two.  They have gone farther than most couples just to stay together.

I think what I liked most about this story is that it's an excellent bridge between the Iron Fey series and the new series Call of the Forgotten.  When I read the first book in the series, I kind of felt there was a jump in time and that I might have missed something.  I didn't know this book existed.  I think it explains a lot.

So, in short...if you like the Iron Fey series, you'll like this short story.  And, if you plan on reading the new spin off series, you'll want to read this book.

Review - The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 1st

Pages: 379

Published: October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373210572

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.  That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.  Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten. 

I Give This ...

I can not tell you how excited I was to see this book.  I LOVE The Iron Fey series and was sad to see it end.  I was more the willing to give a new chapter in this world a chance.

I was happy to see that the land of Fey is just like I remember it.  I didn't expect it to change, but I was curious to see how it had moved forward over the years.  All the characters that we know and love are still featured in this book.  I got just enough to please me, plus the addition of a few new characters that took me no time at all to love.

It's nice to see Ethan all grown up (or almost).  I wasn't surprised to see him as the bitter and angry teenager that he is.  The Fey have reeked havoc on his entire life.  His sister has cut his family from her life.  He tries desperately to remain aloof and friendless.  That kind of existence must be terrible.  While the events that lead him to journey into the land of Faery again are not the best, I think it was needed to make him begin to accept who he is.

I was especially pleased to see Kieran make such a prominent appearance in this story.  I just loved him.  I liked how he skates around the truth about who he really is.  He doesn't want Ethan to treat him any differently.  I liked that he wanted their relationship to develop naturally not because it's forced.  

It's a perfect next chapter in this series.   There's some questions brought up in the book that I can't wait to see answered.  I'll be eagerly awaiting the next one! 

 
 

Review - The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 1st

Pages: 480

Published:  April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373210510

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.  Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.  Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.  Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.  Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.  But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

 I Give This...

I've been trying to stay away from vampires.  I kind of felt like it was over played, and I was willing to walk away.  But, when I heard that they were going to be the subject of Julie Kagawa's newest novel, I jumped right back on board.  You see, Kagawa has a knack for telling a story in a different manner.  She breathes new life into it.

I was intrigued by this world the she's created.  A virus basically wiped out the human population.  The vampires were immune to this virus and came out of the dark.  In exchange for protection from the rabid creatures in the wild, human agree to live in vampire cities.  I found the hierarchy of the vampires and their cities to be fascinating.   It turns out its a very intricate system.  Only certain vampires have the power to rule.  And due to the virus, only certain vampires can actually turn a vampire human (and not into a rapid).

Allison is barely living it seems in this.  She takes great risks just to survive.  She refuses to become a blood slave just to provide herself with a few extra comforts.  But, I think this might have been her downfall.  She trusts way to easily.  She trusts that the band of people won't turn on each other.  She trusts that there are few things worse than being a vampire.  And she trusts that when the unthinkable happens that she can be different.   Maybe it's because of all this that she really impressed me as a vampire.

In this story, vampires are hard to tell from human.  But, their thirst for blood can consume them.  We see Allie really struggle with it at times.  But, she always proves she's better than that.  She tolerates a lot of mental abuse for her creator, but I think she realizes that there is no better person to teach her how to survive. And maybe through this she can be a different kind of vampire.

What's difficult about this story is that there are no very different sections to it.  First is Allie in the vampire city (including after she is turned).   And there's the whole story when she roaming the wilderness.  There she gets caught up with a rogue band of humans.  They're looking for a sort of Eden...the answer to all their prayers.  But, something (or someone) is looking for them.  It's interesting because in the end you realize how connected this story really is.  The leader of this group and Allie's creator have way more in common than you could ever realize.

An interestingly woven story.  I will definitely be seeking out the next one.

  

Waiting on Wednesday - The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

 Publication: April 24, 2012

 

Decription: You will kill. The only question is when.
In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive. Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.  Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

 

 

I'm really kind of over vampires.  But, I can't wait to see what Kagawa does with this.  I adore The Iron King series, so I am more than willing to give it a shot!

 

  

Review - The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 4th (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen)

Pages: 361

Published: October 25, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210367

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.  I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

I Give This ...

 

I would have been ok had this series ended with The Iron Queen.   Maybe not thrilled, but the ending made sense to me.  I was overjoyed to hear about this final edition to the series told from Ash's point of view.  I was hoping it would make a satisfying ending to a wonderful series.

I have to be honest and say that Ash's point of view was not what I was expecting.  But, his character has changed so much from the beginning of the series.  He's lost everything he has ever known.  He's no longer the cold-hearted Unseelie prince we met at the beginning.  He's willing to literally go to the end of the earth to find a way to be with Meghan.  I was wondering if he had the courage and love to really go through with it all.  I think this was a great story about the true depths of human emotions. 

There was some twists and turns in the story that I was not expecting.  I feel we learn a great deal about Ash that we never really knew before.  There are lots of moments and events that made him the person (fey) we know and love.  I also loved that Puck was along for the ride.  Their friendship/hatred has so many levels to it that I really longed to understand how it all started.  I finally get that.  I also get great closure on their feud.  Just what I hoped for!

I enjoyed the trials that Ash goes through to prove that he is worthy of a human soul.  The third trial left me feeling a little off at first though.  I wasn't sure if it was real or not, and I wasn't happy initially with the chain of events.  I felt things were really glossed over.  When I realized what the point was, I was much better.  I also think it showed an amazing side of Ash.  I was happy to have the end be that he might have the best of both worlds.

I enjoyed the story overall.  I wish we would have got a little more of Meghan.  But, I loved getting to see another side of Ash and Puck.  I also enjoyed getting to see a bit more of characters that have been little more that shadows in previous books.  I'm sad to see this series end, but will be revisiting it again soon!

 

Review: Summer's Crossing (Iron Fey #3.5) by Julie Kagawa

Title: Summer's Crossing

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Novella in the Iron Fey series

Pages: 57

Published: Available now from Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9781459206403

Source: Free Ebook

Description: A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.
Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

I Give This ...

 

I was excited to read this.  I'm eagerly awaiting The Iron Knight and I was hoping this might tide me over for a little while.  It's just enough to make you want more.

I wasn't sure what I would think of having a story told from Puck's point of view.  I like Puck, but for me he was always the best friend.  Although, I admitted after The Iron Queen that I could see how Megan could have feeling for him as well.  I'm not surprised that Puck decides to help Ash.  I just don't think of them as deadly enemies anymore.  I'm not sure how that works with there sworn oaths to kill each other.  I think the idea of pulling the wool over the queen of summer was more tempting than anything else.  I enjoyed the ultimate prank he pulled.  Even I feel for it.

What really did this story for me was Ash.  I got a sense of the pain he was in at the end of The Iron Queen.  But, in this little short book it was down right awful to watch him.  He's still Ash, but he's lost so much of his spark.  He can barely muster up the spark to fight with Puck.  But, you know it's all because of how much he lost.  I'm hoping there's some hope in the next book.  I want my Ash back!

Overall, a quick read.  I don't think it's really important to the storyline.  But, if your a fan of The Iron Fey series, of course you will read this!

The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 3rd in Iron Fey

Pages: 384

Published: February 1, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210183

Source: Publisher/Netgalley

Description: My name is Meghan Chase.  I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.  This time, there will be no turning back.

I Give This ...

 

I was really looking forward to this book.  For a series that I was initially unsure of, it's become one that I crave.  It's a mix of a lot of things that I believe make a story good!

I loved what Meghan goes through in this book.  She truly steps up to the plate and acknowledges who she is and what she can do.   She admits when she's scared, and when she lacks the knowledge at what to do next.  I really admired that.  She may take on more than she thinks she can handle, but she also believes she's the only one who can do it.  She still makes decisions a little carelessly.  And I think the hardest thing to watch is how her words effect others.  She forgets sometimes that the Fey can take a different meaning that what she intended.

Which brings us to Ash.  He's an interesting character.  You can really tell how deeply he loves Meghan, but sometimes the Unseelie Prince is to ingrained in him.  I actually liked watching him get all icey towards her, because I always loved the make up scene that comes next.  I loved watching him make the knight vow to Meghan.  It truly showed how far he's come from the soulless prince.  

I've also always loved Puck.  For most of the series, he's always been the lovable sidekick/best friend to me.  But, in this book I actually could feel how he also felt about Meghan.  It was more genuine this time around.  I knew it would always be Ash, but I could see it being Puck as well.  I also liked that he would do anything for Meghan whether she wanted him to or not.

I enjoyed how the story seems to have come full circle.  The conflict seems to be over, but the story isn't done.  There's a lot of heartache at the end of the book, which really crushed my spirits.    I'm hoping it's all resolved in the next book, The Iron Knight, which I will be early awaiting.

SPOILER:  I didn't agree with Meghan's choices regarding Ash in the end.  I think she was right to release him of his vow, even though he might think of it as an insult.  But, using his true name to get him to do something he didn't want to do wasn't the right way to do it either.  I don't think it was acknowledging what Ash wanted.  He had the right to choose as well.  But, without that choice, we wouldn't be looking forward to a book from Ash's point of view!

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 2nd in Iron Fey

Pages: 359

Published: August 2010 by Harper Teen

ISBN: 9780373210138

Source: Library

Description: 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, iron-bound 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 alone 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.

I Give This ...

I wasn't sure were this story was going to lead after the first book.  I was hoping the story would continue to be original since the first half of The Iron King I thought was was to familiar but redeemed itself in the second half.    

I love the idea of the winter court.  I think it shows how different the courts are.  Everything is covered in ice and snow.  Plus, everyone's attitude seems to match their environment.  Or maybe it's just their attitude towards Meghan because she's part of the summer court and she's part human.  I actually would have like more insight into it all.  I was prepared for some distance from Ash, but I really wasn't expecting him to be that cold.  But, as events unfolded, I learned that in all reality he was still protecting Meghan.

Speaking of Ash, can I say how much I love him.  He like the perpetual bad guy, the one all the good girls want and can't have.  But, he's so much more than that.  Their chemistry is awesome!  I just don't feel it as much with Puck.  He's a great guy, a good friend, and I love the sarcasm.  But, it's just not as believable of a romance to me.  

The story line takes some interesting twists.  Meghan isn't always looking for her prince to save her and Ash isn't constantly acting like she's a damsel in distress.  They both have backbone and do their fair share of saving each other.  Because in the end all they have is each other.

I can't wait for The Iron Queen.  This one has some questions that I really want answered.  They are so buried in the storyline that you almost miss them.  Plus, I just want more of Ash!

The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1) by Julie Kagawa

 
Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #1

Published: February 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
ISBN: 9780373210084

Source: Library Book

Description: Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. 

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I have to be honest and say that I was very unsure of this book during the first 100 pages or so.  The story and characters were good, but I felt like I read it before (or to be more specific watched the movie).  I was a big fan of The Labyrinth and The Neverending Story growing up, and I really felt like this book was a combination of the two.  About half way through, the story decided to take on a life of its own and got immensely better!  I liked Meghan.  She was determined to accomplish what she set out to do.  I think she might have been a little head strong about it.  But, what to you expect from a teenager!  I loved Ash.  I thought it was interesting how the love interest is also the bad guy.  You could feel the tension between the two.  I also really enjoyed Grimalkin (although reminded of another key character in a story).  You could always expect the truth from him although how it was delivered was always interesting.  How the author managed to connect the the fantasy world to our world was great.  Overall, the second half of the book more than made up for the deja vu feeling of the first. I look forward to reading the sequal The Iron Daughter!