Only Proves My Point

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa is the second of the The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten books.  These books feature Ethan Chase, Meghan's brother, along with his girlfriend Kenzie, and Meghan and Ash's son Keirran.

There is a lot of explaining to do when Ethan and Kenzie return after their adventure in Nevernever because real people can't just disappear without explanation.  Of course Kenzie's father is not impressed, and forbids Ethan to see her again.  As if his day is not going bad enough, Meghan is at his house, and tells him that Keirran has run away.

Soon Ethan learns why Keirran has run, Annwyl shows up and she is Fading.  Keirran is in search of a way to keep to stop the Fade.  Ethan, Kenzie, and Annwyl go to New Orleans to find the Goblin market where they believe Keirran is.  There they learn that the Forgotten have gotten way creepier, and since they are no longer able to feed of the Glamour of the half-fey and the exiles, they are feeding off the fears of those who can still see the fey, children.

In a last ditch effort to save Annwyl, Ethan, Kenzie, and Keirran go to the Summer Queen, Titania, to beg her to lift Annwyl's exile.  As with any fey, a bargain will come with a high price, and being the Queen of the Seelie court makes one of the most untrustworthy of the fey.

This book a had darker feel to than The Lost Prince with how creepy the Forgotten have become, and the change in Keirran.  Keirran is on a downward slide into something darker in this book.  He is not as happy or polite as he was in The Lost Prince.  He rarely smiles, and has some pretty ruthless moments. You get glimpse of the old Keirran, but as the book progresses, they become extremely rare.

Ethan in this book has a great moment when he truly begins to accept who and what he is.  With Kenzie's help, he realizes that he will never be rid of the Fey, but he can no longer allow them to dictate his life.  Kenzie does wonders for Ethan, and I really feel they are a perfect fit for each other.  She keeps him from being a total jerk, and he makes her feel whole despite her sickness.  I am just going to go ahead and say they are one of my favorite YA fiction couples.

So the ending gives you a whole new appreciation for cliffhangers. I think I yelled at the book as I finished, demanding that Ms. Kagawa tell me what happens.  It is times like these that make me very sad that I have to wait for the next book.

Currently Reading:
Dreamless
by Josephine Angelini