Review of The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

I was really excited to get a copy of this book. I loved The Iron Fey series although I haven't blogged about them before as I couldn't really find the words to describe them. I also reviewed The Immortal Rules earlier this year and loved it. I have to admit, I have a little bit of a girlie crush on Julie Kagawa. She's a gamer, she references Joss Whedon shows in her books and she's a brilliant writer.  So with the disclaimer that I might be slightly biased in this, here's my review of the upcoming The Lost Prince.


The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review is based on an eGalley kindly provided by Harlequin Teen. The Lost Prince is due for release on October 30th 2012.

This may contain spoilers for The Iron Fey series up until this point, be warned.

Here's what the publisher has to say about it:

In Faery, there are always more tales to tell…

It has been thirteen years since Meghan Chase vanished into the Nevernever to become the Iron Queen, leaving her family and her half brother, Ethan, behind. But that doesn't mean the fey left them alone, or forgot about them. Now seventeen, Ethan Chase is an expert on all things faery and feels nothing but rage toward the creatures who stole his sister so long ago.
 


Ethan Chase is all grown up. He is carrying around a boat load of resentment that his sister, Meghan, went off to be a faery queen and left him and his family. He has spent his whole life trying to get away from the fey who, aware that he has the Sight, follow, trick and torment him and those around him. He has isolated himself so as not to endanger anybody else, making himself look as mean and unapproachable as possible. So on his first day in a new school, he's surprised when the popular and beautiful Kenzie approaches him and refuses to take the hint that he'd rather be alone.


Hard as he tries to ignore it, Ethan is dragged into the world of the fey when strange things start happening. Exiles and halfbreeds are disappearing and Ethan is the only one who can find out what's happening. He refuses to go to his sister, Meghan, for help, but when Kenzie is put in danger, will he have a choice?

Julie Kagawa is a master at world building and creates a cast of complicated characters whose adventures will have you on the edge of your seat. It's clear that Ethan's experiences in the original Iron Fey series have left serious scars. He is not the carefree, happy boy that Meghan would have liked him to be. Mackenzie is a great addition to the series. Smart, funny and not easily put off she takes Ethan's broodiness in her stride and doesn't allow him to chase her off. She is another great female character who doesn't just sit around waiting to be rescued, but makes things happen for herself.

Some old friends make a welcome reappearance (what would the Nevernever be without Grimalkin?) and I think both Team Puck and Team Ash will be happy with this and the coming books.

I did see the big reveal coming from a long way off, but then I have about 20 years more experience than the target audience of the book (that's a nice way of saying I'm old), so it might have more impact on a younger reader.

Overall the story is compelling and enjoyable and I can't wait to find out what happens next, and to see more of Puck and Ash and of course my favourite cait sith.