The Iron Daughter Review

The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2) by JULIE KAGAWA






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—ironbound 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 stuck 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 (goodreads)
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Review: 

I'm torn between a 3.5 and a 4 for this novel. While Kagawa's novels continue to impress, I felt that this book lacked a little something that the first novel had.

Meghan Chase made a deal with a fairy to save her toddler brother's life, now it's time to pay up. She must travel to the Winter Court as Ash's prisoner. At the Winter Court, the reader learns more about the Winter Court and struggles with Meghan as she tries to make her desires known.

This book opens right where The Iron King leaves us. Meghan is now a resident at the Unseelie Court and is trying to adjust to the new characters and the new environment. Like the last novel, Kagawa takes the time to build the world and introduce the readers to the new environment before introducing the conflict. She takes the time to explain the current situation between Meghan and the Winter princess and introduces some new characters. But when the action hits...it hits. Kagawa brings the reader on an exciting adventure in which  Meghan must prove her innocence and face the Iron Fey once more. I absolutely adored the pacing of this book, Kagawa takes her time to introduce the characters, her new surroundings and flawlessly brings Meghan on a whole new adventure in the Nevernever.

In my review for The Iron King, I stated that it was Kagawa's characters and world building that made me love it so. The same goes for this novel. I loved the new Unseelie Fey and the return of an old-enemy-turned-friend. Their relationships were endearing and each character had its own personality. I also gave this novel a lower rating because of character relationships. Meghan and Ash experience a few bumps in their relationship quite early on. As the prince of the Unseelie court he must appear indifferent to everything, this extends to Meghan. It was tiring seeing Meghan wrestle with her feelings for Ash as he ignored her and gave her all sorts of mixed signals.

As always, Julie Kagawa writes poetry and captures the reader's attention from page one. The dialogue will bring a smile to your face and the descriptions easily transport you into Kagawa's world.

The Iron Fey series continues to impress and I cannot wait to know what happens next! Now I just need to read the novella!

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