The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa Series: Call of the Forgotten #2
Published by Harlequin Teen (10.29.2013)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: ARC, 304 pages
Source: From author signing
Buy on Amazon
After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.
But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.
My thoughts
I think I’ve said this a thousand times already, but there is literally nothing that Julie could write that I wouldn’t be excited to read. Nothing. It could be a book about mathematics (which she probably doesn’t even like anyway…) and she’d find a way to make it interesting. There’s a reason she’s my favorite YA author! This one was even better than The Lost Prince.
I loved Ethan and Kenzie’s relationship in a way that I didn’t in the first book. Their relationship was real, raw at times, and I found myself invested in it more than I thought I would be. They had hardship and disagreements. There were moments when they didn’t know where they stood with each other. Yet, they always managed to come back together when all was said and done. And something I feel the need to mention – and another reason I love Julie so much – the L word didn’t pop up until halfway through this book. The second book. No instalove here, folks! Their love was convincing because it had time to develop, and because it was a shock to Ethan when he realized it was true. The reader knew he loved Kenzie before he did! That was actually one of my favorite scenes in The Iron Traitor, because Ethan was suddenly struck by how much Kenzie truly meant to him, and it totally broadsided him, even freaked him out a little. That was what made it so real to me, because it’s exactly how I would feel in his shoes.
I was surprised by how moved I was by Keirran and Annwyl’s relationship. The entire world was trying to keep them apart, but they still fought for each other. There was nothing, nothing that Keirran wouldn’t do for her (which wasn’t always a good thing). The moments between them were tender; and when Keirran was professing his undying love, it was touching rather than cheesy.
“Your friend walks a dangerous line. He tampers with forces unseen, and he does not see the darkness rising up inside him.”
I couldn’t get a handle on Keirran. While I loved him in the first book, my feelings for him in this one were on the fence. His motives were true, sure, but his actions were a bit questionable. There was a darkness in him that wasn’t there before. There were times when I didn’t know which side he was on, and I wasn’t sure if he could be trusted.
BUT THE ENDING. How could you leave it like that, Julie?!?! I had heard things about the ending – including Julie saying we would hate her after finishing it – so I was mentally preparing myself through the whole last half of the book for possible heartbreak and probable outrage. Did it help? No, no it didn’t. I was still left gaping at the book after finishing the last sentence, lifting my face to the sky asking ‘WHYYYY JULIE, WHYYY?!?!’ while shaking my fist. I mean…I’m not worried necessarily, because it’s….that person…and that person can’t just….yeah. It can’t happen. IT CAN’T. But the other person….WHAT THE CRAP?! How…? Why….? WHAT…!!!! *flails* I NEED TO KNOW WHY. I’ll just be over here, in this corner, curled up into the fetal position. Don’t mind me.
Favorite character: Do I really need to say it? Hint: He’s gray and fluffy ;)
Favorite Quote
“What? I never make things worse,” Puck replied, […] “I make things more interesting.”
“Yeah, my foot is about to have an interesting encounter with your ass.”
Overall Assessment
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World-building: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Previous Books
I suggest reading the Iron Fey series before starting this one.
I feel like I’m the only person on the planet that hasn’t read Julie’s fey series. *cries* I shall fix that up very soon hopefully!
Fab review (from what I skimmed through at least! I was in fear of spoilers..) <33
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I too am with you. And suffering peer barrages all the time. We should buddy read it together!! I really want to read these and Jessi loves them so much I need too. Haha.
Love the review Jessinator!
<333 Inky
*gasp* You need to fix that asap!! I love Julie and her books, she’s epic :)
AHHH yes that ending, right?? It killed me! It’s like the mother of all cliffhangers.
I totally agree with your thoughts on this one – I loved it so much! And I really liked the development of Ethan and Kenzie’s relationship too.
Awesome review, Jessi :)
RIGHT?! Can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks Richa :)
I liked the first three Iron Fey books, and requested this one on Netgalley before I started Iron Knight. I thought the fourth book was ohhhhh-kaaaay and then realized that this one was a whole new series. I’m plugging through Lost Prince now (Ethan isn’t very likeable!) but I’m glad to hear that this one is better :)
You didn’t like Iron Knight? That was my favorite of the series D:
And yeah, it’s a spin-off…still love anything Iron Fey but I miss the original characters!
Ethan is no Ash, but he has his reasons for the way he is! All of the characters are much better in book 2 :)
OMG YES. I’m reading this now, and I UNDERSTAND THE FEELS XD
While I don’t think anything can match up to the original Iron Fey, this is a fantastic series, and I’m loving it so far! I’m a little annoyed with certain parts, but all in all, it is awesome…
And Puck… asdfghjkl is PUCK. He’s and he’s all-snark-and-wit friends!!
Great review Jessi :D Hope you’ll get out of that reading slump soon :)
Yay! Glad you’re loving it, I love Julie’s books :)
Have you read The Immortal Rules?
I hope so too! Unfortunately, I read this one a couple months ago…if I’d read this, it would have pulled me out of it! Maybe I should read another Kagawa book to help!
It’s official. I have to be the last person in the world who hasn’t read a single book by Julie Kagawa *sigh* I really want to read them but they’re so hyped up I’m afraid I’ll be in the minority and won’t like them. Great review though, it might have given me the push I needed to finally read her stuff.
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
Aw, you should totally try them! I freaking adore Julie. I hope you love them as much as I do :)
[…] On Vulcan – 4.00 Mel @ The Daily Prophecy – 3.00 Sam @ Realm Of Fiction – 4.00 Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat (used to be Auntie Spinelli Reads) Thank you to Harlequin Teen for sending me an ARC of this novel for review! All quotes above are […]