BWB Discussion Questions: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

1. What did you think of the feud between Puck and Ash? How do you think that might play out in the next two books?

The feud was very interesting, I love the duels and how Puck fights dirty whereas Ash is very noble, if only he would fight dirty he might have a chance at winning. The way the duel came about was a little weak in my opinion, because of a girl? Come on, with the way Puck is it would be believable if he set their Ice Castle on fire. It will definitely play a part in the next two books, provided Puck makes a recovery, which is inevitable.

2.  Favorite scene or line from the book? Could you relate to any of the characters?

I can't relate to them per se, but my favourite character would have to be Grimalkin, who was actually a boy despite the myths. I love all of his lines. I loved Puck in it too, he was hilarious as he is in all the books he crops up in. My favourite scene was actually in the park with the tree people. I don't know but for a second there I could almost smell the trees and the grass. It was a very vivid scene and although it wasn't long, I loved it.

3. With whom did you identify with the most? And Why?

Probably a mixture of Grimalkin with his disdain for stupid people, Ash because of his nobility and Puck because of his sense of humor. Puck the most I think because i love him as a character and because he got the best of both worlds...except for when he was a crow.

4. Did you find the concept behind the Iron King-  being  a technology fueled modern day faerie-  original or unbelievable?

I found the essence of The Iron King to be unoriginal, but the introduction of the Iron Fey to be quite unique even though we don't really see much of them in the story itself. If they play more of a part in the next books, which I'm sure they will, it will get very interesting indeed.

5. Kagawa used a lot of mythical faeries in The Iron King, such as King Oberon, Queen Mab and Puck. Which fae from myth would you have liked to have seen added into the pages of The Iron King besides the ones she used?

I'm actually really over the use of King Oberon and Puck. I like them in A Midsummer Night's Dream and although its fun for them to crop up, it's been done before. Just exploring the fey in general, water nymphs and fire nymphs, they don't have to be famous they just have to be fey and I'm happy.

Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Review: The Iron King

Series: Iron Fey – Book 1
Author: Julie Kagawa
No. of Pages: 363
Release Date: 1st February 2010

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY – ONE SHE NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED...

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school...or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face...and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Thoughts:

The Iron King doesn’t live up to the surrounding hype in my opinion.

It’s all been done before, daughter of Oberon, the close friend Puck, the trek through faeryland and a changeling somewhere in the midst of it all. The Iron King has its high points and there was a good plot driving the story, but I couldn’t help but get the feeling of déjà vu.

Meghan’s brother is taken by someone from faeryland and replaced with a changeling. Meghan who has never fit into the society around her finds out that her best friend, Robbie Goodfell, is actually the Puck of legend. She asks him to help her get her brother back. And so, the adventure ensues.

The start was a bit slow, but once we get out of the summer court The Iron King does get quite intriguing. The detail put into the book was very vivid and although a bit much at times, created a colourful image in my mind that I quite enjoyed exploring through the eyes of Meghan.

Meghan is a strong character, she is focused and wilful. And smart. That was the high point of The Iron King, Meghan wasn’t stumbling around waiting for people to save her, she actually figured things out for herself, and while making a few mistakes they weren’t the cringe worthy disasters I have grown so used to when it comes to YA adventure stories. She worked out exactly how to bargain with the fey, where to go and after being taught, tapping into her power source.

Meghan was also believable. At one point towards the end, she is tempted by an offer, and to be honest I probably would have had a tougher time saying no to what was on the table. Yes she was tempted, she’s half human. She didn’t take it, but she was tempted. She also wasn’t all over Ash, the love interest, she was able to stay focused on the task at hand, and although some tantalising flirting was explored, Meghan didn’t lose sight of what she was there to do.

Grimalkin, the cat, I loved him, so smart, so funny, so witty, so Cheshire. Every time he spoke I got the Cheshire cat in my head. I don’t know if Kagawa did it intentionally, but if she didn’t...

The only other point was the swearing. We were censored for the first part of the book, when her mother was around. But as soon as Meghan entered faeryland, it’s like the gloves were off no holds barred so to speak. The language that was used was not offensive in my opinion but considering the fact that we had the line “said a word my mother would have grounded me for” in the first part to full blown S-bombs in the second and third, it was just a little unexpected.

So The Iron King, intriguing, strong character – read it for Meghan in my opinion – a little cliché, funny and strong story. Anyone who like faeries will love it, anyone who likes smart characters who don’t need to be told what is right in front of their faces will love it, and anyone who likes Alice in Wonderland will love it as well.

Others in this series:
The Iron Daughter
The Iron Queen

Others who have reviewed this:
Tigers All Consuming Books
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!

Available at:
Amazon
Book Depository