Book Review: The Lost Prince

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
October 23, 2012
Harlequin Teen
379 pages
Source: borrowed from NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My Review:

What can I say except The Iron Fey books just keep getting better and better. The Iron Knight is still my favorite of the series, but this one is a close second. If you haven't read any Iron Fey books, you will be a bit lost in this one, so I'd suggest starting with The Iron King. You'll also want to read The Iron Prophecy before this book because it gives a great sneak peek into all the weird looks and glances Ethan picks up on.

So, Ethan is the broody, loner, "bad boy" little brother of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase. But he has understandable reasons for being the way he is. He was kidnapped by fey, tormented, and held captive in the Nevernever when he was three years old. Not only can he see the fey, but they follow him around, torment him, and have harmed people he cares about. Then, there's his sister who he hasn't seen in years, who has cut off contact with his mortal family (for her own reasons). So, the broodiness, the walls he puts up, the pushing people away, and the resentment toward the fey all make sense. But is that any way to live? And will he be able to let these things go so he can save his friend and actually "help" the fey? Will his feelings toward the fey and toward Meghan's side of the family change?

I love Ethan. I love how real he is. I love how protective he is of the people he cares about and loves, even to the point of sacrificing his own happiness and closeness to others. But even with his hard exterior, he's a softie inside, who loves and wants to be loved, but is afraid to show it and let his guard down because of his experiences with the fey. Enter Kenzie, the sweet little thing who doesn't let him get away with his "tough guy" exterior, and refuses to get pushed aside like some weakling. I love Kenzie's heart and attitude. I love her determination and desire to live life to the fullest. Ethan's secret is scary but Kenzie's secret is heartbreaking. I love how the two of them find each other.

I'm also so glad to see Kierran. My heart goes out to him as well because he has grown up as an anomaly among the fey, a part-human with all the glamours, who has no equal, no one who understands, and perhaps overprotective parents (with their reasons). I like how he and Ethan were able to slowly bond, not in some big emotional way, but in the small, thoughtful ways that matter. I look forward to how their relationship will continue to develop.

The other secondary characters are great additions, like Annwyn, Todd, and Guro. The reappearances of our favorite fey were perfectly placed, because Julie knows we all want to see them again, but they don't overtake the storyline or overshadow the main characters. They are simply a minor support, coming and going as needed. But the story remains Ethan, Kenzie, and Kierran's. I love that.

So if it hasn't been obvious, I loved reading this book. It's a darker storyline in some respects, and there are several side storylines to go along with the main one about the Forgotten. I have so many questions and concerns about the upcoming books and what's going to happen to everyone. Ethan, Kenzie, Kierran, Annwyn, Todd, and the rest of the fey all have their own separate issues that Julie leaves us wondering about. I cannot wait for what comes next!

 

5 FEY-LOVING STARS