Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir - Thorn Queen

These books are absolutely amazing. Plus, I love Richelle Mead. I own every book she has written. The Dark Swan series is just another one of her captivating series that have you absorbed in the book straight from the first page.

I absolutely loved this whole series, except the ending. Yes, Eugenie's character is dual natured, but not being honest with Dorian makes everything else seem like a sham.

Overall, a fun quick read, but not the ending fans had hoped for.

The concept of the series is great. I loved reading this series until the last book (that's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1). The plot completely twists in the last few chapters. I thought, maybe, that the author was trying to lead another series off of this one, but bam that plot gets shot down. I probably will never read anything by this author again because of the horrible ending to this series.

Four books, each building the emotions, making you wait for the happily ever after and then in the last few pages, the author kills the whole series and rips away the glow that usually happens when I finish a good series. Terrible way to end a series.

I am really torn on rating this series. The first two were very enjoyable, the third one was okay, and the fourth was okay until the ending. The more that I think about the ending, the more it infuriates me. Best case scenario, Eugenie is a hypocrite. Her final action kills any potential growth that she had. There is also a pretty big continuity error concerning Kiyo and Maiwenn's child, her name changes from Luisa to Marta between the third and fourth books. I had to reread the section a few times to make sure that's who they were talking about.

I've seen it quoted a few times in other reviews that the author doesn't like that every story needs a happily ever after ending and I am okay with that. Hell, I am a GRR Martin fan. What I so expect however is for the character's actions to make sense. SPOILERS BELOW:

During the series there are two times that Eugenie finds out that someone that she cares about lied or mislead her. The first is when she finds out who her biological father is and the second is when she finds out that Dorian knew the true purpose of the Iron Crown and omitted that detail. In both cases when she finds out the truth she reacts poorly. In both cases she nearly severs all ties with the person(s) whom she felt "betrayed" her.

Her relationship with her mother and stepfather was nearly destroyed when she found out that they had lied to her about who her biological father was. They lied out of love and to protect her from the dangers of being his daughter would place her in. They taught her the fear her father's people because they were all a danger to her. Eugenie was furious when she found out and did not feel that her safety was worth not knowing the truth.

Dorian not telling her what the Iron Crown really did was such a betrayal to her that she wanted to cut all ties to him the moment she found out. And to understand the significance, she and Dorian were principle allies in the middle of a war that started because he killed someone who abducted and raped her. For almost two books both his words and his actions showed that he would do anything thing for her. He even fought to protect her unborn children fathered by his rival for her love. To him, her health and safety and the health and safety of her children (children that are sacred to his people since they are so rare) were all that matters. He was willing to adopt her children and claim them as his own. Throughout the entire series fatherhood was something that he wanted almost more than anything, but he loves her so much, that he accepted her refusal to have children.

Knowing this is why the ending is so horrible.

In the end, it turns out that Kiyo lied about his ability to have children with her and he lead her to believe that her twins were his because he knew that the only chance that he would have to get to Eugenie and her children was the space and respect that Dorian gave her since they were supposedly not his children. The conclusion has her taking this information and hiding it from Dorian so that the twins can be raised in anonymity. Not only did she decide to lie to Dorian, she decided to hide to the twins who they really are. Both actions were the same major betrayals that she experienced. Her actions in the end make her the true villain of this series.

There are three reasons I am giving the Dark Swan series 4 stars: Dorian, Dorian, and oh yes, Dorian. To my mind, he is the BEST book boyfriend ever conceived. Given that I have written over 150 book reviews on the store, I hope I can say with some authority that King Dorian has all the qualities one wants in a life partner. Dorian is powerful, playful, sensual, intelligent, and courageous. Some may also view him as manipulative, such as when he wanted Eugenie to retrieve the Iron Crown and did not tell her exactly what the crown can do, how powerful it is. Me, I prefer instead to think of Dorian as a ruler who must practice Realpolitik at times in order to best serve his people/kingdom.

Richelle Meade has crafted a series with finely drawn worldbuilding, memorable characters, and a good story. Her narration is not bad either. The narrative is quick, fluid and at times, fun to read (usually when Dorian is in the frame). Of the secondary characters, Jasmine organically developed and matured. Hooray, as it would have been exhausting dealing with her spoiled brat temper tantrums all series long. As for Volusian, ah, I always knew there was more to our long-suffering spirit, and his backstory confirmed it. I just loved his wit and sarcasm. I adored the "relationship" he had with Eugenie, and next to Dorian, he's my favorite character in the series. He's a baddie with a heart of gold.

There's one particular plot point that I was shocked actually played out the way it did - Eugenie's continued rape at the hands of Leith. It was dark, disturbing, and the fact that human shamans were part of the sordid, disgusting plot to sell Otherworld females as sexual slaves just ups the outrage. I was gobsmacked that Richelle Meade "went there" with this whole story, but also applaud her courage in doing so. I didn't see it as exploitative, unnecessary or nonsensical since RM took pains to artfully lay out the bread crumbs and lead us to a logical understanding of how and why certain events were occurring in the Otherworld (i.e., the disappearance of girls). However, I can see how other readers might not be so sanguine, and rather, could view such a plot point as despicable. Me, I find other things to fault in this series.

One of the criticisms I have involves Eugenie. Yes, she is a confident, kick-ass empowered woman. But, she is also stubborn, impulsive and quick to judge. The worst instance of this is when Eugenie, who is in a committed, exclusive relationship with King Dorian decides "in her mind" that they are kaput because he withheld the truth about the Iron Crown from her, so she decides to have sex with Kiyo, her former lover. That's right, rather than giving Dorian a chance to explain, she summarily decides he's a lying, manipulative jerk so unilaterally breaks up with him and only later deigns to tell him they are over. And the scene in which she lets fly with her anger is quite heartbreaking. There are many scenes of tension, or humor, or steamy sex, or cooperative partnership between Eugenie and Dorian. But I only recall one sweet scene between them: when Dorian gives the custom crafted ring to Eugenie. That was sweet and tender, in a book that has few instances of such emotion/displays. That's why I found it heartbreaking when Eugenie confronted Dorian in the manner she did. (Sigh) it was hot headed Eugenie being hot headed yet again.

I also have issues regarding the main story in the final novel, "Shadow Heir". Up to this point, the other novels were building up to an all-out war in the Otherworld, potentially affecting king/queendoms for eons. Then, in "Shadow Heir" all that build up seemed to have gone out the window, and instead, readers are given an entirely new McGuffin. Although this alternate plot device was interesting, I felt disappointed that the Otherworld plot laid out painstakingly in three other books was popped like a balloon.

Another negative about this series involves the abrupt finale, and I use that term loosely. Other reviewers have remarked that RM seemed to run out of steam or ideas and the ending was the result of it. Maybe publishing deadlines also played a part, but no matter the reason, it was a truly egregious way in which to conclude what is a fine series. I suppose I mainly felt this way for one major reason: Eugenie's lack of logic in deciding not to tell Dorian the truth about her children's heritage. Yes, the same Eugenie who excoriated Dorian for not always being open, honest and above board had no problems justifying to herself that it's OK to lie to Dorian and hide the fact that he fathered the twins, especially knowing how much he adores children. Hypocrisy, thy name is Eugenie Markham.

Even given my criticisms, I highly recommend this series. It's one of the best I've ever read. In fact, read it for Dorian and Volusian - they are good enough reasons to stick with the Dark Swan books. [And frankly, Dorian is the only reason this series makes my "Best of the Best" list.]

First off----many other reviews contain many spoilers without warning the reader....so let me say that towards the end there will be spoilers...For now, it is safe to continue reading.

We have a love triangle (which I found annoying at times) between Kiyo, Eug, and Dorian. Eug finds out who her true father is, and that there is a prophesy that his first grandson will bring hell on Earth. In the book there are 2 worlds, well 3 if you count the underworld....the human world and the gentry (fairy, etc) world. The series, which only has the 4 books, has a solid storyline and was pretty well written. I took off one star due to the really sh*tty ending and another star for not catching that Eug kept calling Kiyo's daughter the wrong name in the fourth book---and not just once...several times.

****SPOILERS****

Why did I find the love triangle annoying? In the beginning it was fine, your classic girl loves 2 guys. As the story continued, Kiyo was such an ass that I had a hard time believing she would leave Dorian for him. I absolutely hated Kiyo....and in the end my initial feelings that he was an ass were definitely proven. Putting aside his trying to kill her, he KNEW the kids weren't his due to a vasectomy, which he failed to TELL her about, he had after having a kid with another queen. Don't even get me started on that piece of crap---she so deserved to die...
During the whole series I kept hoping and cheering for Dorian. As much as I hated Kiyo, I adored and loved Dorian. I wanted to beat the crap out of Eug when she breaks up with him when he fails to mention that Iron Crown's true powers. She wanted a way out of the war that minimized bloodshed; he knew how but knew that telling her the powers she wouldn't go looking for it....Not only does she break up with him, she has sex with Kiyo BEFORE breaking up with Dorian. For someone (Eug) who is so adamant about honesty and loyalty, she really messed up there. He deserved better. And the END????? OMFG it's not ok for him to withhold what essentially was really nothing to do with their relationship, but she can NOT tell him he is the father of the twins???!!!! After everything he did for her??? After loving her so much to agree to raise the kids, believing they were Kiyo's, as his own? To stay/be with her even though he wants to be a father so badly? That was the final straw---I really do not like Eug either.

I got sucked into this series rather quickly, and loved almost every minute of it.
Spoilers Ahead.
Two things that bothered me, a lot:
1. I noticed in the last book that she keeps calling Kiyo's daughter by the wrong name. That bugged the crap out of me.
2. I was really bothered by her abandoning her newborn children. I know she didn't technically abandon them, but leaving while they were still in NICU, and not returning immediately after her journey, and instead "tending to the land"... Obviously her sister could have resumed doing that for her, and then again at the end, she just freaking leaves them! (The end sucks btw). And who doesn't tell someone they are the father of their children? The children you left in literally another world. That are 3 months old. That people are trying to hunt down and kill.

Other than that I really did love these books.

I started this series excited and intrigued by the story line. I ended it very disappointed and a bit angry that I wasted my time reading it.

The main character is hard to relate to or even admire. I could barely get past some of the "decisions" she makes. Especially in the last book of the series. She's portrayed as extremely selfish and inconsiderate. I had hoped she would "grow up" by the last book. Alas... she actually got worse. I didn't even finish the last chapter I was so disgusted with the story line. What a disappointment. I had expected better from this author.

These books are fantastic! There's mystery and magic and so many twists and turns and surprises. For sure one if those books that you just can't put down! I felt every emotion right alongside Eugenie through the whole series. I'm so sad it's over!!! Please please write more!!!! I'm begging you!!

I love this series especially because of the convenient Kindle bundle package. I wish more series grouped their books in such a manner. As for the actual books I'll warn you now the ending of the series is disappointing and doesn't make sense with gentry physiology but that's all I'll say about that. As a person who lives in Arizona it makes me wonder if there really are "thin" spots/ portals to a place of real magic. One can only dream right? As for the finality the writer tells in her interviews I really hope she reconsiders and gives this world a proper farewell.

Fun, suspenseful, exciting, sweet and everything else one might be looking for in a book/series. Although the ending is kind of lame, I would've appreciated another one or two books or at least another series like she does with the vampire academy and bloodline series. Other than that, money and time well spent!!

I love everything I've ever read by Richelle Mead, but this series was my favorite. The characters are amazing and you fall in and out of love with them. The main character is very well written and the story is like no other. It has the typical amount of romance vs action (though noticeably less action in the final book where she has a new challenge on her hands) for Richelle's books. I can't even really put how much I love this series into words :b

I absolutly loved this series! This is the second of Richelle Mead's adult series thst I read and honestly can't say if Eug or Georgina from her other series is my favorite! All four books are outstanding but I truly love how the series ended I never suspected the final scenes.

While I enjoyed the series and the storyline, I was extremely disappointed with the last book and the way the series was ended. I would have givrn a five star rating except the ending of the series was such a let down.

As a series, the books were entertaining and a quick read. I liked the characters and the different landscapes used by the author. I read them in order, and I would recommend a new reader do the same! Enjoy!