The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase is about to turn sixteen. Things have always been slightly strange for Meghan, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes at the age of six. She's never quite fit in. At school, she is an outcast. At home, her step-father hardly even remembers her. Sometimes she thinks she is seeing things. A dark stranger looming in the background... her best friend looking quite menacing. As soon as shadows pass, things are back to normal. It's all a part of her imagination, right? When someone dear to her disappears, Meghan begins a journey that will ultimately change her life forever. Taking her best friend, Robbie, along with her, she travels to the unknown. Here, she finds out she is actually a faery princess. Half-fey and half-human daughter of the Summer King, she is now caught in a deadly war between the courts. The dark stranger is back, and she may not live through her journey. Deals are made, contracts are signed with blood... Will Meghan and the ones she love succeed and make it out alive? What will happen to the Nevernever?

I fell in love with this book! I've had my letdowns with other faery books, like those in the Wings series and the Wicked Lovely series. This book had a sort of "Alice-in-Wonderland" feel to it. A girl traveling to a different realm, all types of different and unique animals/characters. It was fascinating! I could picture myself in Meghan's shoes, walking through the landscape. There is incredible attention to detail, but the book does not drag on or feel overweight with description. Puck was very funny and witty, Grimalkin made for some good laughs, and I absolutely LOVED Prince Ash... *swoon*! I read somewhere that the author was basing the Iron King off of David Bowie in Labyrinth. That gave me a good chuckle and now I can't help but picture Bowie in his tight pants as Machina. Love it. I can't wait until I get my hands on the next book. This is another great series I can't wait to read... I'd put it up with my love for the Vampire Academy series.

4/5