Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 375
Format: Paperback
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Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear...

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown's ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation - one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril...

Iron Crowned picks up where Thorn Queen left off. Eugenie and Dorian are not only back together as a couple, but are united in a war against Rowan Land and Queen Katrice. Desperate to end the war in a peaceful way, Eugenie hears stories of the legendary Iron Crown. A crown hidden somewhere and one must venture through mines of iron along with other obstacles to obtain it, not to mention the crown itself is made of iron. Dorian claims the crown has no real power, that it's just a symbol of the trails one goes through to get it. And that enough would make Katrice end the war. Not initially wanting to go after it, Dorian pushes her towards it. He even convinces her to take Kiyo with her, who even though isn't involved wants to see the war ended peacefully.

Getting the crown wasn't easy, but she realizes that Dorian had lied to her about the crown. Unable to trust his motivations anymore she breaks things off with him. And this is the one thing I hate about this series. The back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo. Not to mention she jumps right into bed with Kiyo after the breakup.

I really loved the fact that Jasmine has turned over a new leaf, or maybe not so. But the two have become closer and towards the end of the book Eugenie feels she can trust her enough to take off her cuffs and even takes her back to her house in the human world.

If you've read any other Mead's series you should noticed that the third book in the series is a heart breaker.  Not only does Eugenie find a way to end the war without anymore bloodshed, which is a big shock. At first reaction the twist at the end will make you gasp. But at the same time it's kind of foreseen, especially with earlier events in the book. Now fearing for her life from one man in her life she must seek protection from the other man. She's not entirely sure she can fully trust either one.

Rating: 4/5