Ironside; Holly Black

I finally got around to reading this one after it sat in my library return pile for two weeks. Ironside was published this year by Margaret K. McElderry Books. The sequel is Tithe, although Valiant comes between and is linked. Click title above for link to Ms. Black's page about Ironside. Click here for my thoughts on Valiant. Click here for my thoughts on Tithe.

Kaye continues to grapple with being a changeling: feeling out of place everywhere, insecure, etc. Luckily she still has Corny and Gram on the human side and Lutie-Loo and Roiben on the fairy side. Feeling pretty much like a teenage human that she was Kaye makes several errors in judgement leading to the main adventures in this book. Corny shares the spotlight with her- a nice touch I thought. He's a unique character and as Kaye's friend deserves fleshing out. Roiben also struggles with resposiblity and duty and conflicting feelings about both his sudden ascencion to the throne and about his relationship with Kaye.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit, although I wish the story centered more on Roiben as opposed to Kaye & Corny. Not necessarily their relationship, but his conflicts and political struggles within the courts. More insight into his psyche would have been a nice touch too. Still, I am very satisfied with this episode in the story. The ending was a deft touch I thought. Wrapped up and yet with a hint of uncertainty about the future. Very nice.

Faerie Wars; H. Brennan

Faerie Wars, written by Herbie Brennan & published by Bloomsbury in 2003, is a young adult alternate reality fantasy. Boy that's a mouthful. Protagonists: Henry Atherton, fourteen year old teenage boy living in the UK; Pyrgus Malvae, fourteen year old Heir to the throne of Light in the Fairy Kingdom & Holly Blue, Pyrgus' sister & third in line to the throne. Also assorted good & bad fairies, a demon or two & a few humans.

Pyrgus & his dad the Emperor don't get along well, so Pyrgus moves out into the city to "live as a commoner" as Holly puts it. Fortunately for Pyrgus, his dad keeps tabs on him as Pyrgus is prone to causing trouble. Henry works for an old man named Alan Fogarty doing odd jobs around Fogarty's property. Through a convoluted series of events involving kitten based glue, demon summoning & political problems Pyrgus ends up as a miniature fairy in Fogarty's yard, where Henry finds him.

Problem- Pyrgus wasn't supposed to end up there. His family doesn't know where he is. Old man Fogarty is deeper than he appears & manages to construct a combination Tesla coil/Hieronymous machine to send Pyrgus back home. Pyrgus manages to get himself lost again. Henry & Holly, each from their respective worlds, set out to rescue/find/return Pyrgus.

There are plenty of red herrings to go around, although at one point I rolled my eyes & said to myself, "I should've seen that one coming." The beauty of it all? I didn't see it coming at all. There is a subplot happening with Henry's family, which I find fascinating. There are nods to famous authors. The fairies' names are those of butterflies; a pun on the fact that they are butterfly size in our world but 'regular' size in their own.

An engrossing, quick read- highly recommended. The sequel, The Purple Emperor is out in paperback this month.

Young Adult Review, Faeries,Fantasy Review, Book Review