An Anthology (The Iron Fey) - Iron Fey Series Volume 1

I have mentioned before the difficulty I have in rating a novella. However, with that said I have to say that I have no hesitations at all with rating Summer's Crossing with five huge sparkly stars! My only complaint is that it couldn't be longer.

This is told from Puck's point of view which was so much fun! I am absolutely smitten with Puck. This novella follows Puck as he goes with Ash to track down our favorite feline, Grimalkin. When they are about to set off they are stopped by the exhiled Queen, Leanansidhe. Ash did the unthinkable and promised her a favor in return for a favor that she granted him in the earlier book. So what does she want? She wants him to break into the Summer Court to steal back a 'violin' which Queen Titania stole from her. Luckily for Ash Puck is along for the ride and this 'should' make it much easier for the task to be completed. Because Puck is a part of the Summer Court they can easily get in and out... what could possibility go wrong?

This mini adventure is filled with schemes, danger and plenty of laughter. I mean with Puck telling the story how can it not be funny? I love his interactions with Prince 'Ice Boy' Ash, the banter between these two is classic and will keep you laughing.

Of course along the way Puck is faced with temptation... Just think, what if Ash was caught in the Summer Court? This would mean the end of Ash and Puck would be free to be with Meghan. What will Puck decide to do? What feelings are deeply hidden behind his jokester actions?

Guess you will have to read it to find out but I promise you will not be disappointed... well like me you may be disappointed that it wasn't a bit longer!

"I would be more than her guardian and her champion and the jester who made her laugh. I would be her everything, if I could."

Christine
Rainy Day Reads

Of the two novellas (WINTER'S PASSAGE being the other), I definitely prefer SUMMER'S CROSSING. There's a bit more spunk to it, probably because it's told from Puck's point of view. What Kagawa has really showcased to me with her writing is just how well she knows her characters and just how different a single character can be portrayed. The first three books in The Iron Fey series are all from Meghan's POV so Puck is pretty harmless, quirky, the jokester. In THE IRON KNIGHT, it's from Ash's POV and Puck is coming off exceptionally annoying. But here he just is. He's neither too quirky because you're actually inside his head so his hijinks are tampered down and he's definitely not annoying because, well, why would he find himself annoying? You get to see a depth to Puck that you don't otherwise see in the rest of the series and I really liked that.

The overall story was really good and a great precursor to THE IRON KNIGHT. It threw a wrench into their spokes before the whole quest got started, plus it fleshed out some of the secondary characters a little more. You get to see a somewhat softer side of Mab that definitely hasn't been seen anywhere else. And while you probably already knew that Leanansidhe was as Fey as you could get, you get to see the lengths that she really goes to in order to get the pretty things she likes. Kagawa really knows how to develop her characters and make each one of them really stand on their own, no matter how small they are to the plot. Love it.

Getting to see Ash through a prankster's eyes was also really funny. It lightens the aura around the brooding love interest and it's a reminder to not take it all too seriously. Because he might be cross dressing when you're not looking.

If you don't read SUMMER'S CROSSING before THE IRON KNIGHT you won't be missing anything central to the greater plot of the series. It's just some really good extra information, and a new look into the Nevernever that you don't get in the regular series that'll just add more depth to an already dynamic story. It's an awesome extra and I'm glad I read it.

Puck has tagged along, un-invited, with Ash to find Grimalkin. Ash had made a bargain, a rather large one, for his love and now the holder has come calling on it. So frazzled Ash goes out of character and against what he knows and lives in the fey world, and asks if the favor can wait, which he would never have tried to hold out on a favor before. But knowing Ash plans a search that could take a long time the holder calls the favor in now, and might be able to help him in the end.

We get to see some of our fun characters again; Puck, Ash, Leanansidhe, and some not so nice but in a fun way...Queen Titania. I did enjoy the side we got to see of the Summer Queen here. We see Ash through his old friends, and rival, eyes ~ Puck. This way we see how lost and frustrated Ash is since the end of Iron Queen.

We learn little pieces of things and ways of the fey through this short story. Like names. And another part of the Wyldwood that is a dangerous path full of Hedgewolves. The boys are in trouble here! And a little secret about Queen Titania.

The friendship/enemy line really gets drawn here between Puck and Ash. They were once friends, then enemies after the first girl. Now with the second girl, Meghan, what will they be? Puck choose to go with Ash, but Ash needs Puck's help in this story. But Puck could turn on Ash and maybe end up with the girl he too loves. We do get to see the banter and fun between the two characters again. They do make a good team.

We get Pucks' view of his kiss with Meghan and more of his feelings towards her and Ash. Puck is struggling with his feelings. Ooo, oh. King Oberon shows up and of all people to suggest what to Puck what he does! Astounding! Puck does always have jest in what he does. There is always a joke there to make you smile or chuckle, even when he and Ash have to go in disguise. I enjoyed that.

But as always... things in the fey world are NOT always as they seem.

This fun little novella picks up when Ash makes his decision to be with Meghan no matter what and starts a quest to find a way. Puck along for the ride, even unwanted. But a certain fairy calls in a favor from Ash and tells him NOW. It gives you a look into Ash, from his point of view and his relationship with Puck. They have to steal into the Seelie court and steal something from Queen Titania. Its a fun, novella that has a mini adventure that lets you see the famous trickster at work and even the hard choice he has to make that could possibly get him his true love. I loved it!!!

Puck, Summer's thrill seeking prankster, will have to help Ash on a side quest, before embarking on the ultimate search for a way to enter the Iron Kingdom without getting sick. To repay the debt he owed to Leanansidhe, Ash has to find her violin that was stolen by the Summer Queen herself Titania. Puck, of course, can't pass on the opportunity to create a little havoc in the Summer Court and so agrees to help. But the Summer King tempts him with a treacherous idea. Will Puck betray Ash, in the hopes of keeping Meg to himself?

I love Puck from the other books, and so reading this one from his point of view was quite fun. We get to see that though he is all fun and jokes, underneath there's this cunning mind that runs a mile a second, and a big loving heart. After reading this there is no doubt left that Puck clearly misses Ash's friendship. Now I can't wait to read The Iron Knight, which is from Ash's point of view!

I was excited to read this. I'm eagerly awaiting The Iron Knight and I was hoping this might tide me over for a little while. It's just enough to make you want more.

I wasn't sure what I would think of having a story told from Puck's point of view. I like Puck, but for me he was always the best friend. Although, I admitted after The Iron Queen that I could see how Megan could have feeling for him as well. I'm not surprised that Puck decides to help Ash. I just don't think of them as deadly enemies anymore. I'm not sure how that works with there sworn oaths to kill each other. I think the idea of pulling the wool over the queen of summer was more tempting than anything else. I enjoyed the ultimate prank he pulled. Even I feel for it.

What really did this story for me was Ash. I got a sense of the pain he was in at the end of The Iron Queen. But, in this little short book it was down right awful to watch him. He's still Ash, but he's lost so much of his spark. He can barely muster up the spark to fight with Puck. But, you know it's all because of how much he lost. I'm hoping there's some hope in the next book. I want my Ash back!

Overall, a quick read. I don't think it's really important to the storyline. But, if your a fan of The Iron Fey series, of course you will read this!

Oh, Puck. Puck, Puck, Puck. I seriously think you're now my favorite character (Sorry, Meghan, you've come in second, and Ash, you in third) in the "Iron Fey" series. I absolutely LOVED this novella - but there one was one pitfall. It was FAR too short for my liking. 57 pages? Not long enough even for a novella! I wanted more, and I still want more. It's going to be a very long wait until October when "Iron Knight" comes out.

I had a feeling that Leanansidhe wasn't done with Ash after the third book ("The Iron Queen"). I won't spoil this fun little side quest that Ash and Puck take at her request (note to self: do not ever, ever, ever make a deal in Faery unless it's to save a life!), but I love the fact that we finally get to see Puck's POV in first person, that we get to see the workings of his wonderfully mischievous little brain. My heart kind of ached with him when he talked about his relationship to Meghan, mostly because I've been in his position so many times myself (and unfortunately for me, it's never really ended well).

And then comes the Moral Dilemma (tm): will Puck act for himself, or will he help his friend in this quest? What IS the ultimate goal of Leanansidhe's request in terms of "what's in it for Puck?". Finally, Kagawa makes us ask ourselves the same thing if we were put in his place. Would we act out of love for our friends? Or would the temptation of fulfilling one's most ultimate, dire wish control our actions instead? I love how Kagawa inserts this dilemma without shoving it down our throats, unlike a lot of the YA genre where the Moral of the Story is the ultimate goal of the author at the end of day. Here, it's about having fun with a side of seriousness attached. At least, that's the sense I got.

Anyway, we need more of Puck's POV. Badly. And another novella with Ash's POV would be great (just to even things out - I get kind of OCD that way about my series and characters and such). This was just such a delightful read, and should be on anyone's summer reading list - after the first three novels (and first novella) first, though. Otherwise you might get a bit too lost. Definitely awesome, making my best of 2011 list. Be proud, Puck! You didn't have to trick me to win my heart.

(crossposted to librarything, shelfari, goodreads, and witchoftheatregoing.)

This story takes place after The Iron Queen (Harlequin Teen) but before The Iron Knight (Harlequin Teen). I love this series and was excited to read this story. It was an excellent installment in the series and well worth the money spent (I actually bought it for $2.39, although it is free now).

The story is told from Puck's perspective. Ash is trying to find Grimalkin and he goes to Leanansidhe for help. Unfortunately Ash owes Leanansidhe and she decides to call in her favor now. Ash needs to go into the heart of the Summer Court and steal back Leanansidhe's violin from Titania. He will need Puck's help to accomplish this, but will Puck remain loyal to Ash or let Ash fall to Titania in order to have Meghan for himself?

Kagawa does an excellent job in writing this story from Puck's perspective; Puck's tone of voice is deadon throughout and it was fun to read something from his viewpoint and to get inside his head a bit.

The story is fairly straightfoward initially but Kagawa does a good job of throwing in a couple twists and turns to mislead the reader and keep them guessing. Kagawa's writing style is so readable and fun it made this story a pleasure to read. Kagawa also packs a lot of story into this short story; you get more insight into Puck's character and into Ash's. There was also some humor throughout to keep things lighter.

Overall I really enjoyed this short story and look forward to reading The Iron Knight (Harlequin Teen) when it comes out. If you like reading about faerie be sure you read this series; Kagawa has great characters, a wonderful world, and doesn't sugar coat the danger of the Fey.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa
HarlequinTeen, 2011
47 pages
YA; Paranormal; Faerie
5/5 stars
The Iron Fey #3.5

Source: Free download from the Harlequin Store.

As a fan of Puck, of course I was psyched to see a novella from his point of view. Interestingly, to me, Meghan does not make an appearance as Puck and Ash go off and have their own little adventure before searching for Grim, which I assume is the plot for The Iron Knight. She is discussed but based on this story, I'm already way more interested in a Puck/Ash romance than I ever was in Meghan/Ash-is there any fan-fiction with that pairing? I think it's because I find Meghan so bleh while Puck is super exciting. I love how he always nettles Ash.

Another cool aspect is that the Iron Fey don't make an appearance because this is almost entirely set in the Summer Kingdom. The rivalry of Titania and Lea plays a prominent role as does Puck's penchant for mischief.

Overall: A fun story-appealing to fans of both Puck and Ash.

WARNING: Don't read this novella before reading Julie Kagawa's third novel, "The Iron Queen," or you will be hopelessly lost.

That said, this little story serves as a bridge between Kagawa's last book and her forthcoming one, with the two faerie men going on a small-scale quest of their own. Unlike the previous Iron Fey stories, this one is entirely from the perspective of Robin Goodfellow, and he adds a snarky, slightly jaded tone to Kagawa's prose.

While looking for Grimalkin, Ash and Puck are stopped by the Leanansidhe, who is calling in the favor Ash owes her -- Titania stole her favorite violin, and now she wants it back. In other words, Ash has to sneak into enemy territory and steal something from the queen. Not a good idea, but Puck is willing to help him out.

However, Oberon drops by just to suggest that Puck betray "ice boy," so that Puck can end up with Meghan. And even when the two enemies manage to sneak into the Summer Court, they find that their target is not what they thought -- and they might not be able to escape Titania's wrath.

While not as satisfying as a full-length novel, "Summer's Crossing" is a good snack story to tide readers over until Kagawa's next book. This solid little novella wraps up a few loose ends from Kagawa's previous books, and shows us what Puck and Ash are getting up to now that Meghan is off in the Iron Kingdom. Well, obviously they have trouble, or it would be a very dull story.

And this is the only story thus far to not be narrated by Meghan. Instead, we see everything through Puck's eyes, and he gives Kagawa's prose a snarky, clever edge. Her atmospheric descriptions are as pretty as ever ("only in Arcadia did the sun shine full and bright, and the sweetest apples grow on the trees over the thorn fence, always ripe for the picking"), but there's often an edge of mischief to what Puck sees.

If there's a problem, it's that Puck doesn't seem deeply tempted for very long. But it's nice to see more of Kagawa's trickster-with-a-heart-of-gold, and the feelings that he keeps hidden from everyone else. Fortunately, he and Ash seem to be developing a buddy cop dynamic, despite their mutual emnity -- they glare and snipe at each other, but they actually work rather well together

"Summer's Crossing" is a solid addition to Julie Kagawa's faerie tales, particularly as it fleshes out the "honest Puck" and his archenemy. Vibrant, tense and enjoyable.

This little story I enjoyed much more than the first .5 book in this series. I liked that it was from Puck's point of view, and it picks up right where book 3 of the series ends. You learn more about how Puck truly feels about Ash and Meghan, and just how powerful his glamour really is. Can't wait to continue the series with book 4!

I throughly enjoyed this book! Though I was not surprised! I LOVE this whole series! I think Puck is Halarious!! And he pranks with the queen were are priceless!! I definitely loved this book! So glad that I finally got to read it! Thank you so much for your wonderful books Julie! I can't wait for the next one!!

Way tooooo short! But it deffenatly pumped me to read the next one! Hurry Julie! This was a free download off the store. And if you don't have a kindle you can get Kindle for your PC for free and download it to your computer. I love the store and Julie for making it free!

i really enjoyed this novella; however, it seemed shorter than winter's passage. although i'm sure they're around the same length (i have the kindle version), summer's crossing seemed too fast and rushed. just when it seems difficult and arduous, things seem to go in the right direction with no real mishaps. this was the most disappointing thing for me. with that being said, the story is a great one; it helps us understand puck a bit more while seeing just how well him and prince ash knew/know about each other. you see the pull and tug each has about the other as well as towards meghan. you grasp the importance of friendship and loyalty within that, not necessarily the loyalty towards where you come from. as with all her books, kagawa presents another day in the land of fey. i'm excited to see where she leads us in iron prince.

Brilliant!.. Loved it!.. Kagawa does not disappoint as we follow Goodfellow and Ash on a dangerous undercover mission into the Summer Court.

So if you're having Iron Fey withdrawals and can't wait for THE IRON KNIGHT (Iron Fey #4) due for release in Oct. 2011... Then check out the series new e-novella told from our favorite trickster, the hilarious and clever Puck's point of view in SUMMER'S CROSSING (Iron Fey #3.5) and here's the best part it's FREE at Harlequin's eBook store: [...]