Exiled from the Winter Court, Prince Ash embarks on his arduous quest of honoring his vow to forever stand by Meghan Chase’s side. Accompanied by his infuriating arch-nemesis Puck and the lofty cait sith Grimalkin, Ash seeks the one thing that will allow him to set foot in the Iron Realm and become Meghan’s knight without dying: a soul. In doing so, he must confront the painful memories of his past and endures impossible trials and haunting revelations. I loved how the mixed genres of fantasy, action, and adventure all intertwined to create a poignant, unforgettable tale of a knight determined to do whatever it takes to protect his queen. The trials the author thought up for Ash were ingenious, because we finally get to see his astounding evolution from a callous Unseelie to a sentient fey. Julie Kagawa outdid herself in weaving a hauntingly intricate tale of humanity, love, sacrifice, regret, and friendship. There was absolutely nothing I didn’t like about the book. The ending was unforgettable, but that’s all I’ll say.
Review by Sarena, grade 12, Twin Hickory Area Library
