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

Young Adult
August 1, 2010
Paperback, 304 Pages Harlequin Teen

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “Princess, it has been an honer. Were things different, I would gladly serve you till the end of time.”

Meghan Chase has kept her promise and allowed herself to be taken to the Winter Court. Upon arrival she finds she is to be a guest for an indeterminable length of time. As Meghan attempts to find her way in the court it is evident that her life and/or death is of no consequence to Queen Mab. A single act causes unimaginable consequences; forcing Meghan to accept her role in Fairy and to fight for everyone and everything there.

Often sequels never live up to there predecessors. Thankfully this is not one of those times. The Iron Daughter continues with the same intensity and darkness as The Iron King. Ms Kagawa has built a lush multi layered fantasy that enchants and enslaves your imagination. In Ms Kagawa’s thrilling continuation of her Iron Fey series, we find Meghan in the Winter Court under Queen Mab’s rule who plays with her as a cat might a mouse. Frightened and overwhelmed, Meghan turns to Ash only to find she is once again his enemy.
While Ash tried very hard to acquaint Meghan to life in the Winter Court before arrival; his animosity towards her is hard for her to bear on top of everything else. While dealing with the Winter Court, Megan still attempts to filter everything through her humanity. Only to finally realize that there is no humanity here. The Winter Court is a frozen wasteland teeming with cruelty and barely controlled civility. Meghan lives with her heart upon her sleeve but Ash must continue to reject her for her own good.  It is so interesting to see all this from a 16 yr old’s point of view. I think we all forget what a turbulent time first love can be for us.
Ms. Kagawa has captured Meghan’s despair and heartbreak so poignant that you can feel the emotions rolling off the pages. I admire Meghan’s fortitude and strength in this story. While she wallows in some truly deserving self pity for a bit; she soon takes command of her situation and reaches beyond her boundaries. Even though her powers have been subdued by Queen Mab, she uses what resources she has and you begin to see where her destiny lies.

The play on how modern arts & technology impact the Fairy adds a unique twist to the arc and is used as a guide to explain much of Meghan’s past, present, and future. Both Meghan and Ash grow in this story. Each of them reaching a fork in their respective roads and by their actions, making difficult life altering decisions. Ash is commendable in his fight to remain loyal to Meghan and his Queen, whom is also his mother. Though his actions at times leaves a lot to be desired; everything he does is for the good of Meghan. As he and Meghan travel through Fairy and beyond seeking the scepter, his love for Meghan shines through in his actions.

Ms Kagawa’s other inhabitants of Fairy play significant roles in Meghan’s life-though it is often hard to distinguish between friend or foe. While the fairy cannot lie, they can omit. And Ms Kagawa uses this premise to tease and lead you down different paths, only to wrap you up tight and give you the only outcome that was possible. Puck and Grimalkin are back along with new yet equal fascinatingly crafted characters. It’s amazing that so many characters are able to impact a story with such magnitude without overwhelming it-but they do. Everyone has their place and I for one could not imagine this story without each and everyone of them.

The ending was dynamic and thrilling; my heart stuttering as the final page is turned. Ms Kagawa gives just enough to guarantee you will be waiting impatiently, like me, for her 3rd installment-The Iron Queen.

Rating: 5/5

Recent Reviews:
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This series includes:
The Iron King Winter Passage (novella)
The Iron Daughter – 8/1/10
The Iron Queen – February 2011

Authors website