You know, there's comes a time when you read a book and all you want to do is climb inside the book and stay there. Though I have read books with Faery in them...I haven't really read a book solely based on Fae. I always thought Fairies and Faeries were the same. Not? No, they're not. But this is the first series I've read about FAE and my God, I loved it! I honestly can say that if I was ever given a choice to live in a world or series that I loved, this would be it. I would ask nothing more than to live in the Nevernever. To experience it firsthand. This has been the best experience I've had reading a series. Every book gets better and every character fills my heart with joy.
Puck. Oh how I've loved Puck since The Iron King, even before we find out who he is. Puck. Robin Goodfellow. Robbie Goodfell. I love this boy, faery!! He is truly the glue that holds everything together.
In his awesome and witty short book we get to go on yet another adventure...with Ash. Sigh. Oh I needed this. After the Iron Queen, I was so glad to see him again. My heart was somewhat pieced back together. He's on a mission to get his one true love back. And he needs Robin Goodfellow's help to do it. But will Puck oblige??
Well, we first see Leanansidhe approach the boys who's come to collect her debt that Ash owes her. Don't strike a deal with Faeries, they hold you to it and then you're screwed. And possibly turned into a harp or cello. Oh that woman is funny. Although her "yes, darling. Okay darling. No darling it's like this..darling, darling, darling" was getting on my nerves in Iron Queen. I wanted to smack her around a bit. But either way, she's pretty cool for the Exile Queen that she is.
So Leanansidhe asks for Ash and Puck to go to the Summer Court to fetch her violin that's been stolen and she claims that Queen Titania is the thief. Well, Ash has no choice being that he owes her anyway but he can't just go waltzing into the Summer Court since he is a Winter Prince and they're pretty much enemies.
Puck agrees to help and there they go on this adventure. An adventure of mischief, truths and fun. We get to learn a little more about Ash and Puck's past. They used to be best friends for centuries but it all ended when Ash's love Ariella is killed at the hands of Puck. Ash never forgave him and through out the series they quarrel and talk repeatedly about killing each other. It's quite humorous actually. Their banters are nothing short of awesomeness and hilarity. But now, they are both in love with the same girl...Queen Meghan. Will Puck help his former best friend get the love of his love back or will his jealousy for wanting the same thing get in the way?
I gotta say, I was so excited to get inside Puck's head and sort through his feelings a bit. I truly love Puck. Even though there was never really a love triangle, because let's face it...Meghan always wanted Prince Ash. Who wouldn't? Even in his icy hardened exterior state Ash was nothing but amazing. She knew she wanted him since the moment she met him. It was no secret. It just took time and patience as well as understanding of his past to get through his defenses. And when he let his guard down HOT DAMN, he was to die for. But Puck was always important to Meghan. In Iron King, in the very beginning, he was Robbie Goodfell, her mortal best friend. Until things started happening and he introduced her to the world of Faery. But still, she always loved him. Spent 16 years being his best friend and they shared so much together(though it wasn't elaborated that much) but it wasn't the same kind of love he had for her. I felt really bad for him because he is one secondary character from a series I truly felt connected to. He was perfectly described and perfectly developed. He was just perfect. I loved his sense of humor the best. He could make you laugh even when you were crying your eyes out. Oh man, like the last thing he said to Meghan in Iron Queen before he left her I cried my eyes out...and then sorta laughed at what he said...but then started bawling again. He's the best friend anyone could ask for. There was never a time when Meghan needed him that he was not there, even though his heart was broken. If it came down to it, he would die for her I think. He's just that awesome and caring. As much as I love Puck though, I am glad she loves Ash.
But I loved this novella. I loved getting in his head and seeing a different side to Puck that he keeps hidden. It was refreshing and fantastic, albeit a little short for my taste. But nonetheless, it was incredible for what I did get. I'll always love this damn series. It's embedded in my damn brain and I'm a little on the obsessed side. But that's because Julie Kagawa paints such a vivid and incredible picture of this magical world in every single book. So that's not my fault. I love both the Summer and Winter Courts and the Nevernever. All of it. Thanks so much for writing this novella, from one of my favorite character's POV.
I'm stalling though to read the last book. I don't want to say goodbye to this world. I don't want to say goodbye to these characters. Nevernever. :(
Puck Quotes:
“I was here for Meghan. Because I loved my princess and I wanted her to be happy. Even if her happiness meant she was with someone else. Even if that someone else was my arch rival. I wanted her to be happy.”
“Ash shook his head, but I saw the shadow of a smirk on his face. “You know I'm probably going to kill you soon, right?” he muttered as we headed off into the trees.
“Old news, ice-boy.” I chuckled, falling into step beside him. “And you know I wouldn't miss it for the world.”
“I stuck my hands deep in my pockets, looked the Seelie Queen right in the eye and muttered, “Because. He fell in love with my princess.”