ARC Review: The Lost Prince

 

# The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten 1

 by Julie Kagawa

 

Exp. Release Date: October 23rd 2012
by Harlequin Teen
 
Summary:
Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

This novel is one of Julie’s books that will have you demanding for the second one as soon as you finish your read.

Rating: 4 /5stars

Review:
"This novel is one of Julie’s books that will have you demanding for the second one as soon as you finish your read."

This couldn't be more true. First thing I did after reading The Lost Prince is checking when the next book will be released… the bad news its probably somewhen in September 2013.
Well the good news is The Lost Prince will be published on October 23rd, so in just a few days.
This is definitely my favorite of all the Kagawa books I read so far. I liked the Iron Fey Series with exception of the Iron Knight. Because of that I was a bit weary about The Lost Prince. But several friends had reviewed it and were all extremely positive. So I was hopeful. And I am very pleased to say all my expectations were exceeded.

The world building was again superb. Kagawa seems to have a never ending imagination. She created a world that while steeped in some traditional fairy stories (Midsummer Nights Dream to start with) is so different so intriguing and never ceases to amaze me. The iron realm as example is like a steampunk fairy land and I never tire of its descriptions. Kagawa manages to add and evolve those worlds in each book while never taking away from the previous. In this book she again adds a new dimension with a new villain; something creepy, ghostly and ancient-rather goth but still somehow beautiful.


Ethan, Megan's little brother is the main protagonist. And he has grown up to become a rather kick-ass dude. I liked him, despite him being broody, angsty, distrustful, resentful, paranoid (to a degree), insecure and oh well moody as well. He is a 17year old who has many issues one of his main problems is guilt and distrust. But I got him, and didn't mind his internal dialogues at all. I loved how he slowly opens up and how he slightly changed. The fact that he took Kali classes is really cool. While Megan was quite helpless during her first visit to Nevernever, Ethan knows how to wield a weapon… well his weapons end up being rattan sticks - which is another thing I loved about him. The angsty broody kid turns out to be not only brave- lets face it to fight the fey with sticks is brave on any day- but also extremely loyal and a man of his word. Definitely my new fav man round the iron fey world.
Saying that though, he wasn't my favorite character in the Lost Prince.. no.. that spot belongs to Kenzie. At the beginning she was just a curious and slightly pushy girl. But she surpassed me over and over again. She was never the damsel in distress despite not having an fighting skills, she was always kind and thankfull. She totally keeps her head on in every situation, and I really like her curiosity and her burning desire to discover the unknown. The only thing, her secret was a bit much for me. I felt like, what was the family thing not enough? But I do trust Kagawa has some sort of plan with that…
The character that I am looking most forward to in the next couple of books is Kierran. While i most of the time liked him in this book,he also was at times just a love struck puppy which i found a bit annoying. I do think he is an interesting mix of his parents. Best of both worlds, dark and mysterious on the one hand but also brave and in someways head into situations head on. We just seen a glimpse of his powers and I am looking forward to more. But from the ending I am guessing that he will have to make some choices in the future, and as he is a somewhat closed book, I am not sure where that is going to lead… (i need the next book!)
The old favorites mad an appearance. Puck appeared in his mischievous glory- i got to say that I think there would be a rebellion from team puck if he didn't. He has a huge fan base and it wasn't more apparent then hearing reviewers fangirl over him… despite him having such a small part in this book
Grimalkin pops up whenever he finds it befitting, Glitch, Razor and the ever eccentric Leanansidhe also make an appearance.
Ash and Megan have somehow grown up, become parents and both have slightly changed. And I like the new improved Ash and Megan. Somehow i think this closed the chapter of the iron fey series more than the iron knight did, and it definitely redeemed Ash for me.
The great thing about the old characters is that they are the same and yet evolved. They still important but not center stage. I think Kagawa did this really well

The only thing I didn't care for much in this book was the end. It was a bit antianticlimactic. I checked several times to see if I really was at the end, or if my ebook reader somehow spooked me. After all that build up I somehow expect … more. I do guess that we will get 'more' in the next installment -which as of yet seem to be way to far away.

While this book is a must for Iron Fey lovers, it could also be read by someone who hasn't read any of the Iron Fey Books so far. (I do advise those readers to go do so though, since they missed out on a good series)
With the The Lost Prince Kagawa managed not only to bring back what so many loved about the Iron Fey books she also opened yet another chapter and another new world equally as intriguing and exciting as the previous book. As I said I can't wait for the next one!


ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!



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