The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa
(Iron Fey, #1)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: February 1, 2010
Paperback: 363 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: A to Z, Book Blogger Recommendation, 350 Page
Rating: 


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Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never 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. 

FINALLY! I finally read this. I've been meaning to since before it came out. I've been wanting to read this amazing book for so, so long and I have finally done it. This was one of those books that I knew from the very beginning--since reading the summary for the first time--that I was going to love it. I wasn't wrong. I was definitely not wrong. 


You are captured from the very beginning. You are sucked into Meghan's world as a normal teenage girl, who has normal teenage problems. She's not popular, she's not rich, and she has family problems. She's not handed anything she wants.

Meghan started out as a timid character. She didn't know who she truly was, I mean yeah, she catches a glimpse of shadows here and there and she sees some things one minute and then blinks and their gone, but she was just "Whatever" about it. But then as it gets closer to her sixteenth birthday it keeps getting stranger and stranger until her sixteenth birthday and then she's sucked into this world she didn't know existed. And she starts learning more about herself, and she starts blossoming and growing into this new, stronger, fierce person. But it didn't happen overnight or in the blink of an eye, it gradually happened and the pacing was great!

There were so many times in this book that I was just like, "No! That can't happen!" and yes, it was something the reader would be pissed that would happen, but it had to happen. Sometimes authors don't show that enough. Sometimes it seems like the readers are just handed what they wanted, and that isn't always right.

Everything was so realistic. Yes, it's fantasy, and there are fantastical creatures in it, but it was real to me. And dark! It was a lot darker and twisted than I thought. I never expected it at all! Never! And I absolutely adored it! There were a few things in here that I recognize from other fae books I've read and it really has me curious! I know that it has some references to A Midsummer's Night Dream, but I'm really curious if there is more of a legend going. So I'm going to research that soon.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I loved it and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of The Iron Daughter. I will be putting that on hold from my library as soon as possible. It has a very high standard to live up to. Just sayin'! I know I'll love it.

The second book in this series is The Iron Daughter. It was released on July 27th, 2010.

Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White
(Paranormalcy, #1)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Hardcover: 335 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library, Book Blogger Recommendation
Rating: 

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

I know I've said this a lot this year, but why the hell did I wait so long to read this one?! I know it only came out last year, but I've been meaning to read this one since before it came out, but never got around to it! When I snagged it at the library I was ecstatic, but had to wait until I read a few other books from the library. But gosh, this book was amazing! 


I liked Evie from the start, she was hilarious and I was only a few pages in at the time. I knew I would be hooked from the start, and I wasn't disappointed. It lured me in and didn't push me out of the book until the end. I really need to get a hold of the sequel soon before I go absolutely nuts. I'm addicted! Oh, and if you are wondering, I am Team Lend. I love Lend! He was a great character and so sweet and friendly! He also has a super cool ability to turn into anyone he sees. But when he is himself, he is clear like water. Who wouldn't want to have that sort of ability?


Also, Evie has a special ability too! She can see through all supernatural beings 'glamours' to see their real form underneath. Say it was a vampire she was looking at. They could have an awesome young shell on the outside, but underneath their glamour they would look about how old they really are. With near bald heads and wrinkled old faces. It's awesome! I love Kiersten's take on all the supernatural beings in this series. And there are a lot! Vampires, werewolves, mermaids, fairies, hags! And sooo many more! It's just such a fresh take! Very unique tone to the story and the writing is great!


Overall, there isn't much I can say about this book other than it was great. Kiersten White, you have definitely made it to my author watch list. Thank you so much for writing such an awesome book. 


The cover is gorgeous! Love Evie's dress! The model on the front fits Evie perfectly. 

The second book in this series is Supernaturally. It was released on July 26th, 2011. 

Demonglass, by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass, by Rachel Hawkins
(Hex Hall, #2)
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Hardcover: 359 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library, Book Blogger Recommendation, 350 Page
Rating: 

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?
After finishing Hex Hall back in August, I couldn't wait to finally get a hold of this one. I put it on hold at the library and was finally able to read it, and it blew me away! I wasn't sure in the beginning whether or not it would be as good as the first book, but I was wrong! I personally liked the sequel better than the first book. 

You can tell Sophie has grown a lot since the first book, she's through a lot since arriving at Hecate (a.k.a Hex Hall). There was a lot more action, which I totally loved. Also,  a bit of a "which side should I be on in this sort-of love triangle?" which I loved as well, believe it or not. I mean, it annoyed me a little bit at times, but other times I loved it. Though at some points I couldn't figure out which guy I was rooting for more. And after finishing, I still am not completely sure if I'm Team Archer or Team Cal. 



The characters are great. I really love Sophie as the main character/protagonist. She's snarky, fun and just an overall great and real character. I also really love Jenna, I'm glad Sophie has her. She's a great character and really adds to the story. Well, actually, all the characters have something pretty interesting about them. 


Overall, the writing drags you in and holds you just as the first one did. Hawkins really knows how to write. I can't see what she comes up with for the third book in the series. Also, I'm really glad you get to learn more about demons in the sequel. The only thing I really that bugged me at times was I could predict a few things would happen, though it didn't take away from the story. =)




The cover is really cool. I love how it shows kind of a mirror image. Love both book covers in this series. 

The third book in the series is called Spell Bound It will be released on March 13, 2012. Here is my review of the first book Hex Hall.