Winter's Passage (A Novella) by Julie Kagawa

Title: Winter's Passage

Author: Julie Kagawa

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: * * * * 1/2

Publishers Date: 06/01/2010

E-Book: 52 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9781426858321

FTC Disclosure: Net Galley

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck-Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon-who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter-a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

While I merely enjoyed “The Iron King”, I loved “Winter’s Passage”. Kagawa has a descriptive voice that makes visualizing the world of the fae easy as pie.  This story was very action driven and did not let up for a minute. You are drawn in with the first page and then shattered when it ends so abrupt. Luckily, I have “The Iron Daughter” on hand to start immediately. Ash became a much more likeable character as you see him fighting his feelings for Meghan. Though he is determined to keep his word and deliver Meghan to his Queen Mab, even if it means Meghan’s death, you can tell that he’s torn about this decision. I expect when the actual time arrives to do this he will be unable to wholly comply. 

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Rating: * * * 1/2

Reviewed on 1/30/2010

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 1, 2010)

ISBN-13: 978-0373210084

"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." I went into this book expecting to really love it. Instead, I liked it a lot. I loved the descriptive powers of Kagawa as she took me away to Faeryland and I immediately fell in love with the snarky cat, Grimalkin.  Unfortunately, he stole the whole show.  I was not totally sold on Meghan as a character and really didn't connected with her. This may be because it is a YA book but generally I love them as much as the adult driven fiction. I loved the action and adventure in the story much more than the romance. I especially loved Kagawa's explanation of why and who the Iron King was. Another interesting character or characters i should say, were the "packrats". I can see them playing a much bigger role in upcoming books. Even though I had no problem laying this book down each night, I look forward to the upcoming sequels.  While I can recommend this book to cat lovers for the rest of you get it at the library and wait on the next book in this series. The Iron Fey Series 1. Iron King 2. The Iron Daughter