Title: The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey, #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 359 Pages (August 1st 2010)
From: purchased from Amazon

Synopsis: 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.

Review: 4.5 Stars - The Iron Daughter, the second book in the Iron Fey series by author Julie Kagawa is the continuing story of main character Meghan and picks up right where The Iron King left off. Kagawa has created, for me, a sequel that was more thrilling and entertaining than the first book and has me ready to take on book three.

Without any spoilers, I’ll just say this – Meghan is taken to the Winter Court by Prince Ash. She’s held there by Queen Mab and finds the friendship she thought she had with Ash strained as he puts a distance between them. All hell breaks loose when the Scepter of Seasons is stolen. Meghan, Ash and Puck come together (kind of) again to set out to find the Scepter and return it to Queen Mab before a war between the courts erupts. Remember, I’m trying to write this without spoilers.

The action, adventure, writing, plot and characters were fast paced making the pages turn quicker and the excitement while reading escalate. I didn’t feel there were any lulls in the story and really felt that the characters were stronger then ever.

Meghan has grown so much from the beginning of The Iron King, Ash continues to maintain his icy personality but there’s so much more to him than just that. It’s the little moments here and there that he breaks out of that ice and we see another side of him making him a character you can’t help but love. Then there’s Puck. He has that ever present good guy with a bad side you don’t often see but know it’s lurking under the surface and don’t want to be on the wrong side of.

Good things and bad things happen for each character and between all three along the way, but that’s how it goes when you’re dealing with fey. The ending was perfect and I can only imagine what’ll happen to the three in The Iron Queen. They have faced a lot and made it through; will they make it through next time?

So far this is my favorite of the first two books. I fell for the story and can’t wait to read more. Kagawa’s writing and characters will have readers looking for what’s next quicker than she can write it. It’s not often a second book in a series comes in better than the first, but in this case for Kagawa it holds true, Enjoy.

FTC Disclaimer: I DID pay for this book, and have NOT been compensated at all in any way or means for reading this book and or writing this HONEST review.

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 363 Pages (February 1st 2010)
From: purchased from Amazon

Synopsis: 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.

Review: 3 Stars - The Iron King is the first installment in the Iron Fey series by Author Julie Kagawa. With highly entertaining characters and a new take on Faery, Kagawa takes readers throughout her unique world and adds in a further twist of Iron Fey.

When sixteen year old Meghan Chase’s world is turned upside down she’s forced to come to terms with many things. One main thing is who she really is and what that means to her future and of those around her. One of those people is her younger brother who is kidnapped and it’s up to Meghan and her best friend to get him back. She’s a character who takes a ton of risks, makes some wrong turns and a few wrong choices, but in the end is stronger then she realizes. Watching her figure out the strength she has, or even how much she’s willing to give up for those she loves makes her a heroine that grew and continues to grow on me.

Within the land of Faery, she’s going to need people on her side. One would be her best friend Robbie/Robin Goodfellow, or Puck. The other would be Ash who just happens to be a Prince of the Unseelie Court, to bad for Meghan that she’s part of the Seelie Court. Both of these guys have a lot to offer. Each is different – One’s a bad boy with good in him, the other is kind of a good guy who teeters on the edge of bad. I really enjoyed the banter between both boys, which was at times humorous and added so much to the story. They offer support, guidance, friendship, frustration and love to Meghan. Which one does she choose? Well, I’m not going to give that away.

Another character that needs to make an appearance in this review would have to be Grimalkin. He’s a cat with an attitude and knows more than he ever lets on. It’s part of his kind of “fae” and his personality that after reading I just couldn’t see him any other way. Kagawa has written the personality of a cat exactly how I could almost envision any house cat acting… even my own. It’s bloody brilliant!

Kagawa’s Fae, and the world she has created leads the way to her characters and the story. She has given us a taste of the new Iron Fey series with the first book and has left the door wide open as to what’s to come next for her characters old and new. While it did start out a bit slow, the middle and the end picked up the pace and made me eager for any future books in this series… and anything else that Kagawa writes. If you like a good story filled with Fae and magic, then I would recommend you go out and pick up this title and the next two books in the series soon. Trust me; you’ll thank me later when you’re able to read each book back to back. Review for The Iron Daughter coming next week.

FTC Disclaimer: I DID pay for this book and have NOT been compensated at all in any way or means for reading this book and or writing this HONEST review.

For the rest of the week, I'll be posting a Top 10 List of books for 2010 and 2011. Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and I thought it might be fun to do a sort of recap, sharing all the books we've loved - for various reasons and then some. I hope you enjoy my list. Be sure to head over and check out Jessica's too. Also, dont forget to keep checking back each day for a new list to see who's on it.

Title: Nevermore (Nevermore, #1)

Author: Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum, 543 Pages (August 31st 2010)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - It's dark, it's emotional and it's HOT - giving you a taste to just what's to come.

Synopsis: And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Title: Halo (Halo, #1)
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 496 Pages (August 31st 2010)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - it's beautiful and graceful, need I say more?

Synopsis: Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings.

But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he's charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Title: Sing Me To Sleep
Author: Angela Morrison
Publisher: Razorbill, 301 Pages (March 4th 2010)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - This book cover has drawn me in since I first saw it and I can say that I still love it even to this day, just why I love it.... it's romantic.

Synopsis: THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that's what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth's only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she's selected to be her choir's soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth's choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek's untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek's eyes? She's not The Beast, she's The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek's been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Title: Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 362 Pages (July 13th 2010)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - Each and everyone of these covers are some of my all time favorites, being that green is my favorite color, I was excited to see how this turned out... and seeing that it's Grace walking off into the woods and knowing how Shiver ended made my heart break just a little.....

Synopsis: In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

Title: Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1)
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen, 335 Pages (August 31st 2010)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - Gotta love Evie - and the whole calm before the storm look to this beautiful cover.

Synopsis: Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, 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 Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Title: Nightshade (Nightshade, #1)
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel, 454 Pages (October 19th 2010)

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - You have to see this cover in person to do it justice... it's amazing beautiful.

Synopsis: Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Title: Matched (Matched, #1)
Author: ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 336 Pages (November 30th 2010)

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - Another cover with green as a focal point - will always draw me in and the girl trapped in a bubble seems to fit pretty perfectly with what this story is about.

Synopsis: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Title: Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker & Company, 324 Pages (April 27th 2010)

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - It's HOT, it's sexy... it's a Fuentes brother.

Synopsis: When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Title: Personal Demons (Personal Demons, #1)
Author: Lisa Desrochers
Publisher: Tor Teen, 364 Pages (September 14th 2010)

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - Two hot guys - one an angel, one a demon... nothing more to say.

Synopsis: Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

Title: The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)
Author: Bree Despain
Publisher: Egmont, 372 Pages (December 22nd 2009)
My Review

Why I love the cover, in a sentence - This cover is beautiful in a eerie way, it's dark and mysterious too which always draws me in.

Synopsis: A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

A Deadly Secret

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

*Note: this list is in no particular order. Each of these books are a few of my favorites from 2010.

Natalie from Mindful Musings is hosting two awards! Best New Blog 2010 and Best Blog 2010 and I've been lucky enough to be nominated for Best Blog!! Thank you so much Natalie for hosting and including me under this category! I'm excited and thrilled to be part of this and also to be in such great company as everyone else who was also lucky enough to be nominated.

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