Review: Ironside: A Modern Faery’s Tale by Holly Black
Basically, IRONSIDE is a continuation of the story of Kaye and Roiben. Roiben is crowned ruler of the Unseelie Court, but he doesn’t want Kaye to have to be involved in the dangerous and deceitful faerie world–even though no faerie can tell a lie, or perhaps because of that, faerie wit is as sharp and dangerous as any sword.
When Kaye declares her love or Roiben, in front of the entire court and drunk on faerie wine, he is forced to indulge her request for a quest to prove her love and earn her place in the court as his consort–but, fearing for his beloved, Roiben gives her a quest that seems impossible: Kaye must find a faerie who can lie.
As if that isn’t enough for one girl (er, pixie) to deal with, Kaye also tells her mother, Ellen, the truth about who she is: a changeling. Ellen wants her real daughter back, and Kaye is determined to do that for the woman who raised her.
Kaye is playing the deadly game of the faerie courts–and the odds are against this pixie, even with help from friends like Corny. Can she accomplish all that she’s set out to do?
IRONSIDE is certainly a fantastic book, but it unfortunately suffers from a slight case of “sequel syndrome,” meaning it is not so much a brilliant story within itself, but a continuation of other stories. Despite this, it’s a magical adventure, full of the amazing characters readers know and love, and taking place in the magical world to which fans of Holly Black will be very eager to return–and just as reluctant to leave when this book is over!
Rating: 9/10
Teen Book Review 
June 12, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I agree that Ironside suffers form “sequel” syndrome. CHARCTERS:
All of the main characters: Kaye, Roiben, and Corny seem shallow and less complex. I admit that Roiben’s conflicting personality was inriguing at first, but I soon tired of the endless ’emo’ bouts of sadness. Corny seemed to blossom in this book, but readers are left wondering if he will ever revert back to his violent and self-destrutive tendencies. Kaye was disappointing. She accepted defeat too easilly when Roiben sent her on an ‘impossible’ quest. Kaye wasn’t as real and developed as in Tithe. Throughout most of the book, I was left wondering as to why and what in the world she was doing.
THE PLOT:
I was dissapointed by the book’s plot. None of the characters seemed to know what was going on, and some events were meaningless, random, and sudden. An example would be when Kaye figures out how to complete Roiben’s quest. I mean, come on! Kaye hadn’t spared a single thought to her quest throughout the entire book, and then BAM!!!! Right when she needs the answer most, it magically comes to her. Overall, I found that the book needed serious work. I am happy that Black attempted to revisit Kaye and Roiben’s world, however.
July 2, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I personally loved the book i loved how she tied the sednod and the first together because the second book didn’t really mention the first one in it but the third i thought was just great I wonder if she’s comin out with another one and i liked the quest that kaye had to do because to me it made me think….I just think shes an awsome writer!!
August 12, 2011 at 12:31 pm
[…] sound.Disclosure: Received For Review.Other Reviews of Ironside by Holly Black:Jawas Read, Too Teen Book ReviewPurchase Ironside by Holly Black here.*FYI I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you […]
March 7, 2015 at 2:54 am
Karl Jobst
Review: Ironside by Holly Black | Teen Book Review