Excitement, Danger, Adventure: Will You Pass"The Iron Trial"?



I loved this book! The magic system was unique from other books I've read so far. The characters were developed enough that a middle-grade reader will be able to relate while an older reader may be able to better appreciate the "why" behind the character's thoughts and actions. This was a world highly unique, but with classic archetypes. We have Master Rufus, the wise "old man" who mentors our heroes. We have a mysterious, morally ambiguous villain who all that populate this universe fear. Witty humor, fight sequences, magic, furry animals... Everything a kid would want in a book. Then we have the ending. Without giving too much away, the climax is a major twist. In an edge of my seat, "NO WAY!" kind of way.

Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are two of my favorite YA authors. Having known each other for ten years, "The Iron Trial" is their first collaboration. Holly is perhaps best known for her middle-grade series, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and her YA "Modern Faerie" trilogy. Cassie writes the world of the Shadowhunters - angel-human hybrid warriors - starting with "The Infernal Devices". While Holly is quite adept at combining gritty realism with darker fantasy elements, Cassie is the queen of cliffhangers, teen angst, and out-of-nowhere twists.

I give "The Iron Trial" 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed it, but as an older reader I would have appreciated a little more depth to the story. That being said, this is a book aimed at younger readers, and while there are intense sequences with monsters, they are written with just enough thrill to excite rather than frighten. This is a great book for kids who love adventures. "The Iron Trial" is the first in a series of five books.

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