The Iron King

by Julie Kagawa

I was enticed by the cover of this book. The girl is very pretty and the swirls and shadow and light make it look magical and mysterious. Reading the back however I was not as excited. This book is about the Fey. The main character is the daughter of a faery King no less. Many of the faery characters are from a Midsomer's Night Dream. I tend to be rather adverse to tales of the Fey. Something about them is unappealing and childish to me.

The main character doesnt seem well developed enough. She's trying to save her brother who has been stolen by someone in the faery world and replaced by a changling. But most of the time she seems to be focused on other things. Although she always says her reason to keep going is her brother there doesnt seem to be much force behind it. She doesnt think or talk about her brother at all. Most of her focus is on the two boys she is traveling with.

Her best friend from the human world turns out to be the famous Puck from a Midsomer's Night Dream, who had been sent there to watch over her. He travels with her to the faery world to help her find her brother. While in the faery world, nevernever, she meets one of the princes of the Winter Court, Ash. While she is herself the daughter to the king of the Summer Court she feels an immediate connection to the Winter Prince. She travels from the Summer Court to the Winter Court and finally to the mysterious Iron Court to try to save her brother.

The main reason I kept reading the book was for the character Grim. He is a smart talking, crafty, and cunning cat with an unknown agenda. While immediately reminded of the Cheshire Cat I pushed through. I honestly found him interesting enough to be the main impetus to continue reading.

Unfortunately I don't think I will continue to read this series. The main characters are just not compelling enough.