This is a reread of this book and I still love it.

It is just filled with fun, fae based of mythology and fairytales as well as being an easy read that helped me in a reading slump.
This was a cozy read for me. I loved how this book sets up an issue and it doesn't feel like it gets dragged out. I feel like a lot books have plots that don't resolve without their books and get spread out too much over a series instead of expanding the world for the rest of the series. I also love the cast of characters was fun with Grimalkin being my favourite character. They all feel like fun and bring their own takes to each situation and a different dynamic to the story.

I am very excited to continue my reread of the series.

I enjoyed this story. (Most) characters were lovable. All iconic. The main character was as rather annoying at times, but it was mostly about her complaining about her life on the first page, and I found it annoying as she literally described most my childhood (ie, shopping at goodwill, and working with pigs on a farm kinda deal) and acted as if that was the end of the world. Also, you’d think after the tenth thing of danger, when the others would tell her to hide or run, she would. But she never did and that annoyed the crap out of me.

If I hadn’t been asked to read this, I would have DNF’d the first chapter due to some writing peeves. But besides that, it was an enjoyable read once the story actually started and I’ll be reading the second book soon.

This was an easy read in terms of structure and flow. I was interested in the story and where it would go. I adored Grimalkin and Puck and loved their shenanigans at all times. I thought this had good storytelling, but I really struggle when kids under 18 have love interests that are well older than that, supernatural or not. I think the story could still have worked with less ick had Meaghan been 18. I know the series continues on with Meaghan older than in this book, but I think I’ll leave this series here. 

I was especially creeped out by the revelation that the Iron King had his eye on Meaghan for her 16 years and had been waiting to take her as his Queen. It would have been gross regardless, but her still being a minor really bothered me.

I think if I’d found this when I was younger I’d like it more. Something about the balance of how much it portrays the darker side of Faerie (or not) just isn’t working for me. Also she’s pretty quickly interested in Ash when they’ve barely met, and I don’t like insta-love (or very quick attraction) as a trope.

Justice for the dog, beau deserved better 

I've been wracking my brain the past few days, trying to remember how many times I've actually read this book. I know for a fact that I've read it twice before, but there's a chance it was actually three times. I kept starting this series and never finishing it. Terrible, I know. But it's officially time to get through all four books and dive into the spin-off!

I was discussing the book with my buddy-read partner this morning and we really covered so many bases as we chatted, so I'm going to dive into those things a little more in this review.

The first of which is that this is definitely a plot-based book more than it is character-based. Aside from some in-depth descriptions about Robbie and Grim, we don't know a huge amount about the other characters, including our MC, Meghan! This is a little odd to me because they're really important and yet we know virtually nothing about them - not even hair colors (or sometimes even names in the case of Meghan's mom). The most we know about Meghan is that she loves her half-brother and wears a lot of old clothing. Oh, and she's totally unlikeable.

Going further into the last point I made - Meghan is not a character that you feel yourself rooting for. Yes, you want for her to help Ethan, but mostly, you'll be face-palming over her naivety and teenage emotions that cause rash decisions. What are these decisions, you might ask? How about running straight into faerie courts, kissing people who say they'll kill you, and not trusting your best friend. Those are just a few examples.

My favorite characters in the book are the ones that have the most descriptions: Robbie and Grim. They're witty, sarcastic, loving (in their own ways), and want the best for Meghan, even if that means making tough choices to help her grow. 

This book definitely appeals to a younger audience (duh, it's YA fantasy about a newly 16-year-old) but it's still fun to read as an adult. I picked it up on a Sunday afternoon and flew through it in one sitting. It doesn't take a huge amount of brain power or focus to enjoy!

I look forward to finally moving forward and finishing the series!

It was a simple story it gave off the vibes of a book that you would read for a novel study. Not the greatest but not the worst.

**Read for Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt 13: A book that was recommended to you**

TW: Attempted sexual assault

This series has a cool idea. Instead of the typical concept that faeries and their world are dying because humanity doesn't believe anymore (which is actually annoying because we still dream, we still imagine, and if they are made of our imagination, then their world has to express itself some way), there is a new fae court in existence: of progress and technology.

The narration is superior, as expected from Khristine Hvam who also also did the audibooks for  Daughter of Smoke & Bone.

Instalove. Ash and Meghan barely spend any time together and he's still in mourning. Was it really necessary for feelings to come in book 1?? I thought I hated Faerieland and everything in it. But that was before Ash, WHAT this was his home. If the Never Never die, he would die too. Seriously? Seriously.

These characters can all be pretty moronic. One of the first things Puck and Meghan found in the Never Never was the wild woods not only disappearing but being taken over by iron. Iron trees! And yet nobody warned the rulers nor made the connection when iron fae started appearing and attacking, not even Ash. Meghan quickly learns she shouldn't be outspoken in her gratitude and not to be hasty in her promises, yet she quickly spouts "anything you want" again and again. And again.

I also don't see any incentive to care more for the old fae or want to destroy the iron fae, they are essentially all the same: a danger to each other and humans, with lacking empathy and kindness.