The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa (review)

Kagawa, Julie The Iron Raven. Inkyard, 2021 [416p] (The Iron Fey: Evenfall) Trade ed. ISBN 9781335091765 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781488069444 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad Gr. 7-10

In this continuation of the Iron Fey series (The Iron King, BCCB 4/10), Puck gets the spotlight as narrator. A new evil is afoot, and Puck, Forgotten king Keirran, and a Forgotten faery named Nyx have to track down a monster that feeds on negative energy and emotions, turning the peaceful to violent, including Puck himself. After petitioning Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her husband Ash, the group seeks out the newest prophecy plaguing the Nevernever to defeat the monster, but it won't be easy, especially with Puck tainted by the monster's touch. While Kagawa does an excellent job reminding readers of the intricate workings of the Nevernever and Faery, there's a lot of retrospective references, so this is really a book for existing fans of the series. Puck is a regrettably tiring narrator, as his outbursts of evil induced by the monster appear irrational and underdeveloped from his perspective, while his constant sarcasm and jokes can veer toward the grating. Additionally, the plot overfocuses on side quests, drawing energy away from the main conflict. Still, hardcore fans will be thrilled to see something from Puck's perspective, and those who thought Puck deserved a love interest after losing Meghan will be enticed by his developing relationship with Nyx.