Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Knight

Author: Julie Kagawa (her blogger)
Publisher: Harlequin King
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Synopsis:

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court.

And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl—smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end—a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

* I have read this series and fell in love with Ash-- I mean the books! O_O

** THEY HAVE A TRAILER :D (okay, I think I'm done freaking out now.) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjyPvcIUE2w&feature=player_embedded

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev (Her Website)
Release: July 7, 2009
Synopsis:


Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

**small spoiler alert, it's not anything huge but I just thought I would warn you :) **


Review:


I've never read anything like it! This book is very unique despite the use of classical and well known characters. The author proves that she put a lot talent and imagination and work into this story. The way she was able to represent and capture the older characters from some of Shakespeare's classics and others is fascinating! And even though Bertie is a new and original character she seems to fit right in with the others even if she does stand out a bit. The plot line was really good,too. There were twists and turns, dramatic scenes and of course romance. It's hard to believe it started out as a short story, I mean, I can't imagine it without some of the scenes. It would be like ripping the book in half, literally.
Most of the time, I can tell I like a book when I read a part and want to skip to the end just to find out what will happen! And this book made me want to skim and skip to discover if Bertie had to leave the theater and especially to discover what would happen to Nate. Though, of course, I won't tell you what happened to him in the first place to make me wonder what would happen to him... is anyone else confused by that sentence?
Anyway, Bertie was a wonderful protagonist. I loved every send of her story even if she wasn't the one telling it. She's powerful in more ways than one, she is a little headstrong at points but she's independent and cares for those around her. And true, she's a trouble maker but she is also very authoritative, too. And, like everyone, she has her issues; one being her attitude and prone to making trouble, another would be her abandonment ones.
Now, Nate. Though he might have one line in The Little Mermaid, he plays a big role in Eyes Like Stars. He's at Bertie's side whenever he can be, and he's a good friend. Plus, let's face it, he's in love with Bertie, and, even as he tries to hide it, he wants her safe from any kind of harm. He's a sweetheart with a pirate mouth and a pirate temper. 
The fairies, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, are just hilarious, there's a chance they could all give Puck from Julie Kawaga's Iron King a run for his money ;) They are ambitious, rambunctious and always getting into trouble, but, dispute their wild nature, they are Bertie's best friends. 
I don't have time to bore you will all the characters, though none are truly boring, so I saved my favorite for last.
ARIEL.
No, he isn't the mermaid from The Little Mermaid... and yes, I said he. He is "an airy spirit from the Tempest". I'm putting it out there right now, I have never read or watched any of Shakespeare plays (Yes, that includes Romeo and Juliet). So I only know of his characters from when they sneak across the pages of other books (Puck).  Anyway, I thought Ariel was a girl, till I saw a line referring to him as a he... He's very interesting, sly, and mysterious. And probably a whole bunch of other things (desperate for escape included) but I love his character, even in the beginning, and apparently Bertie does too...
Well then, as I say in nearly every review: I am forcing myself to stop before I give anymore spoilers. And let's face it, this is a review, not a book report, I'll save the latter for my English teacher.
And I'll end as I usually do, great book, but I my love for it came out near the end. Recommended for theater fanatics everywhere, and anyone who likes funny fairies and handsome pirates. 
I've been searching online for the sequel and i found it Prechance to Dream and then the end to the trilogy is So Silver Bright, which comes out next month! And, I need to remember to work on that rating system, I keep forgetting...

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Title: the Iron Witch
Author: Karen Mahoney (her website)
Release: February 8, 2011
Synopsis:

FREAK. That’s what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna’s own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.
When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Review:


This was a wonderful book! Paranormal and romantic, The Iron Witch was a fantastic read. Character-wise this book had a strong and capable heroine that at first glance you would categorize her as so, but the more you learn about her, the more you realize what she has been through. Her messed up past resulting in her iron-laced arms, her planned out future as an alchemist, and her insecurities toward it all. Which is where Navin comes in. Navin is the kind of person who you would want with you when the world ends. Trustworthy, loyal, caring and brave, he is Donna's best friend who has stuck by her side even when the whole school has turned against her. He sticks up for her when she needs it (even though she can handle herself) and he's there to comfort and talk to her. I sort of got the vibe that he liked her in a more-than-friends way. But that's just me. Anyway. Basically he's always there even if she can't and/or won't confined her in him about some things (i.e. alchemy). Well, he's there till he's abducted by the wood elves. Moving on to Xan. Funny, hot, irresistible and half-fey, Xan can relate to Donna when it comes to haunting pasts. She has finally found someone who can relate to her in more ways than even Navin can. Not only that but they had some major chemistry from the moment they met at the party. He is actually the person she calls when Navin is taken.
Okay I have to move on from characters before I start yelling out spoilers or something. lol :)
Karen's writing is just wonderful alone, the way she explains some things has you imagining it really well. Right down to the smells. And she really knows how to get into the minds of her characters, even in third person POV. 
For a good measure I think I'll say that if you have the sudden urge to flip to the end or skim through the pages to  see what happens next, don't do it! Trust me, I am guilty of both and not only will it just sort of confuse you, but it will ruin some surprises in the book or just some really good parts. 
Anyway. I would recommend this book to YA lovers it's really good and I can't wait for the next one!  Especially if there is more Xan in it :D