Novella Review: Winter's Passage

Winter's Passage (Iron Fey 1.5)

By: Julie Kagawa

Published By: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: June 2010

eBook

Buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy

This is really an excellent bridge between the fabulous first two books in The Iron Fey series, both of which I absolutely adored. 

I LOVED that this little short-story was about Meghan & Ash's journey to the Unseelie Court... not only the physical journey but also their romantic/emotional journey. 

Meghan is starting to fully embrace her fey heritage, and with that comes the fact that she takes her contracts seriously and recognizes that she must fulfill her end of the bargain.... including the contract she made with Ash... where she agreed to accept his help in getting Ethan back (which she needed), and in return, she promised to surrender herself to Ash so that he would bring her to the Winter Court, as Queen Mab (his mother) ordered. 

Ash's feelings for Meghan are growing exponentially (and vice-versa), yet he is torn between his vow that he has to fulfill, which cannot be rescinded, and his growing feelings for Meghan who, being a half-feary of the Summer Court, is also his enemy. 

Meghan continues to amaze Ash (and me) with her compassion and determination... and I love seeing her grow in this regard. 

Their journey is also not without risk and danger. Part of the danger is that they are being chased by something they cannot see but can certainly sense. Meghan, being half human, is also vulnerable to the weather conditions in the Winter Court... another danger she must overcome. 

Puck is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in The Iron King so he does not really have a part in this mini-story, sadly. Although, Grimalkin is popping in and out of the picture when it suits him (but does lend a helping paw)! 

This was definitely a nice little bridge to the next book, The Iron Daughter.

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.