Review: The Iron Daughter

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Published by Harlequin Teen
Format Reviewed: Paperback
Publication Date: August 1st, 2010
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Pages: 359
Reviewed by Stephanie
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

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.

The Iron Daughter is an improvement on The Iron King but not by much. As a whole, the entire story seemed much more focused.

Meghan is a prisoner in in the Winter Court and miserable. Ash isn't speaking to her, Puck may or may not be dead, and there's nothing Oberon can do to help.

The beginning was tight and gave us a good idea of what Meghan had been going through without giving us every detail. Ash's behavior was expected but for some reason Meghan found it surprising. Honestly, I don't know how much clearer he could have been to get things through Meghan's thick skull. Emotions are dangerous in the Winter Court. No matter how many times he seemed to explain this, she never seemed to get it. I mean, really girl, you're angry at Ash after he told you that one, it's against the law to be in love with you; and two, that he told you over and over again what the Winter fey were like? He's going through all this effort to throw people of the trail of your relationship and you destroy all his efforts to keep you safe? Nice going.

I was only slightly annoyed by Meghan.... Ash, however, is very swoon-worthy. Of course, we have Puck who I don't feel like has been given a fair chance. I would love to see Puck actually try to steal her heart. *sigh*

The plot was much more enjoyable. It was focused and tight. The characters were great (except for my minor annoyance with Meghan in the beginning). I am wondering if we'll ever find out what Grimalkin means when he answers some questions with, "I'm a cat." That really peeks my interest.

The ending was pretty good. I honestly don't have much to say about anything other than that I wish there was more Ash and Meghan times. *sigh* I just like the love stories, okay?