Review: The Iron Knight

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is good quest fantasy - full of adventure and magical challenges. As the conclusion to Meghan's story, though, I missed her perspective. It focuses heavily on Ash's quest, and since his story takes him far away from Meghan, their relationship is mostly just the backdrop. For those looking for a more interactive romance, or for more about Meghan and her experiences as the Iron Queen, this may prove a little disappointing. But if you take it more as a companion novel about Ash, it's an enjoyable, fresh fantasy quest adventure.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: The Lost City of Faar

The Lost City of Faar by D.J. MacHale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Each book of this series takes place on a different world. Each world has some sort of crisis, and the outcome determines the fate of the universe. This should be pretty intense. Unfortunately, it's boring.

As with the first book, I saw so much unrealized potential. The world that this takes place in should be fascinating. I wanted to love it. But the journal format forces the main character's voice on everything, and I find him juvenile and tedious. Events that should be edge-of-your seat exciting are told through this voice, so there's too much distance between you and the action.

Also the adults are my favorite characters, which doesn't seem right. (view spoiler)[Especially when they are being systematically killed off - which only makes me upset. (hide spoiler)]

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Review: Madapple

Madapple by Christina Meldrum

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This book was confusing until the end. I wouldn't say I liked it, but it's well written. The main character, Aslaug, is confused until the end, and the main story unfolds as she experiences it. Interspersed with her first person narrative are court scenes that offer an outsider view, contrasting modern reality with the weird world that Aslaug lives in. The contrast keeps you wondering what's real and shows how social constructs shape people's understanding of events.

Much of the first person narrative feels surreal. Aslaug is brought up without any knowledge of society, laws, norms, etc. It's an interesting view of how different the world can be to a child that is completely isolated and indoctrinated by her mother and the rest of her family. Once reality finally clicks, it's as if she comes out of a drug-induced haze, bringing the reader out of it with her.

Weird and dark, with issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, family abuse and dysfunction, mis-use of religion, incest, etc., it's well-written and thought-provoking after the final page. Definitely different than anything else I've ever read.



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