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Valentine #2
Ironheart
Sarah J. Maas meets Holly Black with an OzYA twist. Ironheart is the second page-turning book in Jodi McAlister's thrilling Valentine series.Pearl Linford is stuck. Her best friend won’t talk to her. The internet thinks she is a murderer. And she’s waiting for the right moment to forgive Finn Blacklin, the boy she’s known forever, who turned out to be an actual fairytale Prince Charming, but it never seems to come. On top of this, Pearl has another threat to face. Unseelie fairies have infiltrated her town, and they’ve unleashed a new horror – a bunch of wild, uncontrollable, angry supernatural hunters, who have Finn on the top of their hit list.And you know what? That is a lot for one seventeen-year-old girl to handle. No wonder Pearl is so full of rage all the time . . . and that rage might be drawing the attention of some very dangerous people.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2018
12 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Jodi McAlister
18 books541 followersBy day, Jodi McAlister writes romance novels. By other time of day, Dr Jodi McAlister studies them. She's written romantic comedies for adults, romantasy and contemporary romance for young adults, and several academic books.
For adults
If you're a reality TV lover, the Marry Me, Juliet series are the books for you. Even if you're not a reality TV lover, they might be the books for you - several reality TV haters have enjoyed them.
The trilogy all take place at the same time on the same season of a reality dating show called Marry Me, Juliet (which bears a very strong resemblance to The Bachelor). While they all stand alone and can be read in any order, they work best when read in order.
Start with Here For The Right Reasons (he's the series lead, she's the contestant he eliminates on the first night), move on to Can I Steal You For A Second? (she's a contestant, she's... also a contestant), and finish with the book the New York Times called a "full-on villain romance", Not Here To Make Friends (she's the villain, he's the producer who's pining for her).
For young adults
If you're a romantasy reader, you'll like the Valentine series, a young adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy series about smart girls, small towns, and scary fairies. There are three books: Valentine, Ironheart, and Misrule. If Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Holly Black sounds like something you’d be into, these are the books for you.
And if you're a theatre kid, Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending is the book for you. It's my love letter to theatre kids as someone who used to be one.
Academic books
No one really cares much about these on Goodreads, do they? More info on my website if you're interested.
About Jodi
Jodi is originally from Kiama, a seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales, and has lived in a bunch of different cities: Canberra (where she did her undergrad degrees), Wollongong (where she lived while she did her PhD in Sydney), and Hobart (where she held her first academic job) among them. Currently, she lives in Melbourne, where she works as a Senior Lecturer in Writing, Literature and Culture at Deakin University.
When she’s not writing about romance, Jodi is an academic studying romance. Her research focuses on representations of love in popular culture and fiction. It means that reading romance novels and watching (and let’s be real, writing huge amounts about) The Bachelor/ette is technically work for her.
**Want to dip your toes into the Valentine universe? Try the free short story Galentine, set a year and a bit before the events of Valentine. http://jodimcalister.com.au/galentine/ **
**Want to read a bonus epilogue to Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending? Check it out here: https://jodimcalister.com.au/libby-la... **
For adults
If you're a reality TV lover, the Marry Me, Juliet series are the books for you. Even if you're not a reality TV lover, they might be the books for you - several reality TV haters have enjoyed them.
The trilogy all take place at the same time on the same season of a reality dating show called Marry Me, Juliet (which bears a very strong resemblance to The Bachelor). While they all stand alone and can be read in any order, they work best when read in order.
Start with Here For The Right Reasons (he's the series lead, she's the contestant he eliminates on the first night), move on to Can I Steal You For A Second? (she's a contestant, she's... also a contestant), and finish with the book the New York Times called a "full-on villain romance", Not Here To Make Friends (she's the villain, he's the producer who's pining for her).
For young adults
If you're a romantasy reader, you'll like the Valentine series, a young adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy series about smart girls, small towns, and scary fairies. There are three books: Valentine, Ironheart, and Misrule. If Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Holly Black sounds like something you’d be into, these are the books for you.
And if you're a theatre kid, Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending is the book for you. It's my love letter to theatre kids as someone who used to be one.
Academic books
No one really cares much about these on Goodreads, do they? More info on my website if you're interested.
About Jodi
Jodi is originally from Kiama, a seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales, and has lived in a bunch of different cities: Canberra (where she did her undergrad degrees), Wollongong (where she lived while she did her PhD in Sydney), and Hobart (where she held her first academic job) among them. Currently, she lives in Melbourne, where she works as a Senior Lecturer in Writing, Literature and Culture at Deakin University.
When she’s not writing about romance, Jodi is an academic studying romance. Her research focuses on representations of love in popular culture and fiction. It means that reading romance novels and watching (and let’s be real, writing huge amounts about) The Bachelor/ette is technically work for her.
**Want to dip your toes into the Valentine universe? Try the free short story Galentine, set a year and a bit before the events of Valentine. http://jodimcalister.com.au/galentine/ **
**Want to read a bonus epilogue to Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending? Check it out here: https://jodimcalister.com.au/libby-la... **
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 13, 2018
NOTE: I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review by Penguin Teen Australia. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Review on my channel to come.
MY FIRST FIVE-STAR READ OF 2018!
My goodness - Ironheart was a good one! After a year of anticipating it, I was overjoyed to read it. But now the problem is that the cliffhanger is hurting me so much!
I loved this book because:
- It shows another side to the characters that we grew to love in the first book for better or worse and it produces depth within those characters
- The fairy realm is expanded upon as opposed to the first book. The first book did have those elements but not as much as this book does. The world building was doing perfectly.
- Pearl coming into her own as a strong independent woman. Her character development when it comes to independence is slower than the average female heroine, but I like that about her because it is very realistic and relatable. I feel like we are going to see more independence from her in the final instalment.
- Finn Blacklin is bae
The wait is on for the final book in this trilogy - BRING. IT. ON.
MY FIRST FIVE-STAR READ OF 2018!
My goodness - Ironheart was a good one! After a year of anticipating it, I was overjoyed to read it. But now the problem is that the cliffhanger is hurting me so much!
I loved this book because:
- It shows another side to the characters that we grew to love in the first book for better or worse and it produces depth within those characters
- The fairy realm is expanded upon as opposed to the first book. The first book did have those elements but not as much as this book does. The world building was doing perfectly.
- Pearl coming into her own as a strong independent woman. Her character development when it comes to independence is slower than the average female heroine, but I like that about her because it is very realistic and relatable. I feel like we are going to see more independence from her in the final instalment.
- Finn Blacklin is bae
The wait is on for the final book in this trilogy - BRING. IT. ON.
August 29, 2022
Read more bookish goodness on my book blog: Cal's Constant Raving Reviews
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOOK:
I absolutely adored the first instalment to this series, so you bet your booty I was pumped for the sequel. It felt like it took me a while to finish, but I must say... the past 100 pages flew by in seconds! I love love love everything in these books. I will support McAlister always, as long as she keeps pumping out awesome YA romance and fantasy SET IN AUSTRALIA! (
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOOK:
I absolutely adored the first instalment to this series, so you bet your booty I was pumped for the sequel. It felt like it took me a while to finish, but I must say... the past 100 pages flew by in seconds! I love love love everything in these books. I will support McAlister always, as long as she keeps pumping out awesome YA romance and fantasy SET IN AUSTRALIA! (
March 19, 2020
Another addictive addition to this story! Though, the reason it’s not 5 stars is because of how irritatingly dramatic Pearl and Phil are in the first maybe 60 pages, like, infuriatingly annoying. But, perhaps I’ve forgotten what it was like to be 17 😂😂
Can’t wait to read what happen next!!!
Can’t wait to read what happen next!!!
March 22, 2020
The ending was so rude. But still such a good book. Twists – some were predictable, but the others that weren't, WOW AND OUCH.
January 11, 2018
Ironheart brings us back into the the world of Pearl as she has to deal with being isolated from her classmates, ‘Pearl is a murderer’ conspiracy theories and rebuilding a relationship with Finn. Oh and a cousin who isn’t actually her cousin, murderous birds and just a few immortal warriors coming to eat her heart. No biggie.
Both the Seelie and the Unseelie are still after Finn, ready to do what ever it takes to get their hands on him. Their spies are everywhere and there is only so much iron in Haylesford. Not to mention Finn's betrothed. Plus there’s Julian trying to convince anyone and everyone that Pearl and Finn really are the murderers.
Both books in this series are hilarious, I’ve never had as much fun reading than when I’m reading these books. And that is pretty much down to Pearl. She is funny, sarcastic, rage-y, occasionally lust-addled and very relatable. Ironheart (and Valentine) are written in first person, sometimes for me this can be a hit and miss particularly if I’m older than the protagonist but it works really well here. McAlister nails Pearl’s voice and the internal dialogue is gold. It’s very organic and can’t help but relate to the way her brain works.
One thing that frustrated me was Phil. After the events of Valentine Phil has iced Pearl out and blames her for everything that happened. Listen, I know you’ve been through a traumatic experience but goddamn it Pearl saved your life! Argh!
Pearl and Finn’s relationship goes through some ups and downs in Ironheart. After it was put on hiatus at the end of Valentine, it takes a little bit of work for it to get back on track. I really liked how that was handled though given the reason Pearl put it on pause. It’s not sweep under the rug with the love interest forgiven and that’s it. I love those two together.
I loved the pop culture references and the shenanigans Pearl gets up to. Ironheart, whilst a relatively easy read, is such a fun one and after that ending I can’t believe we’ll have to wait for book 3.
Also I should add there’s a part of me that could swear I’ve read this before. Not in a bad way but more likeWHAT KIND OF FAIRY TRICKERY IS THIS? How can I have the vague feelings of yeah I know this bit WHEN I HAVEN’T EVEN READ IT BEFORE NOW. Anyhoo
★★★★1/2
*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com/
Both the Seelie and the Unseelie are still after Finn, ready to do what ever it takes to get their hands on him. Their spies are everywhere and there is only so much iron in Haylesford. Not to mention Finn's betrothed. Plus there’s Julian trying to convince anyone and everyone that Pearl and Finn really are the murderers.
“She is written on his bones”
“I don’t care if she’s written on his muscles and his tendons and his organs and tattooed on his brain. He’s not healing her.”
Both books in this series are hilarious, I’ve never had as much fun reading than when I’m reading these books. And that is pretty much down to Pearl. She is funny, sarcastic, rage-y, occasionally lust-addled and very relatable. Ironheart (and Valentine) are written in first person, sometimes for me this can be a hit and miss particularly if I’m older than the protagonist but it works really well here. McAlister nails Pearl’s voice and the internal dialogue is gold. It’s very organic and can’t help but relate to the way her brain works.
One thing that frustrated me was Phil. After the events of Valentine Phil has iced Pearl out and blames her for everything that happened. Listen, I know you’ve been through a traumatic experience but goddamn it Pearl saved your life! Argh!
Pearl and Finn’s relationship goes through some ups and downs in Ironheart. After it was put on hiatus at the end of Valentine, it takes a little bit of work for it to get back on track. I really liked how that was handled though given the reason Pearl put it on pause. It’s not sweep under the rug with the love interest forgiven and that’s it. I love those two together.
“You just told me you understand why a bunch of supernatural rage monsters want to eat my heart,” I whisper against his lips, “and i think it’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
I loved the pop culture references and the shenanigans Pearl gets up to. Ironheart, whilst a relatively easy read, is such a fun one and after that ending I can’t believe we’ll have to wait for book 3.
Also I should add there’s a part of me that could swear I’ve read this before. Not in a bad way but more like
★★★★1/2
*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com/
March 25, 2019
As awards season comes up, I've been talking about Valentine a lot. So, I was delighted to get my hands on Ironheart and even more thrilled to find it lives up to the standard set by its predecessor.
From the very first scene, it deals with the consequences of the previous book. Pearl has experienced some trauma and has understandably developed a phobia of bodies of water as a result. Which makes her job as a lifeguard at the local pool untenable. She also has some difficulty coming to terms with being rescued by Finn in the previous book. Being a helpless victim is not something that sits well with Pearl and it makes her double down on trying to do things herself, even when it clearly isn't the best way forward. And this is shown in different spheres, from dealing with her trauma to discovering the identity of the new Rider preparing to hunt down Finn. It was fascinating to watch Pearl come to realise that being rescued is not the same as relying on your friends.
This was just one of the ways in which the book advocates for healthy relationships. At the end of Valentine, we see Pearl step away from committing herself to a relationship with Finn because they haven't had the chance to get to know each other as friends first. It was one of the things that delighted me most about the book. Ironheart continues to push back against the idea that romantic love is the be-all and end-all. Pearl is very clear that living a life where Finn is the sole and central relationship isn't one that's going to be fulfilling to her--her relationships with her friends and family are no less important. It was a refreshing perspective.
At the same time, it was also sweet to see her relationship with Finn develop, even amid the chaos. It doesn't always go well--Pearl's desire for her own agency means that she's not always forthright with Finn, which backfires. It plays into a wider theme of trust and honesty, which also crop up in several of Pearl's other relationships.
If I had one quibble, it was with the revelation of the identity of the Rider. While it came as a surprise, I felt it was just a little underplayed and perhaps relied a little too heavily on info that came in the first book.
However, overall, I found Ironheart a delightful read and a great continuation of the series.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
From the very first scene, it deals with the consequences of the previous book. Pearl has experienced some trauma and has understandably developed a phobia of bodies of water as a result. Which makes her job as a lifeguard at the local pool untenable. She also has some difficulty coming to terms with being rescued by Finn in the previous book. Being a helpless victim is not something that sits well with Pearl and it makes her double down on trying to do things herself, even when it clearly isn't the best way forward. And this is shown in different spheres, from dealing with her trauma to discovering the identity of the new Rider preparing to hunt down Finn. It was fascinating to watch Pearl come to realise that being rescued is not the same as relying on your friends.
This was just one of the ways in which the book advocates for healthy relationships. At the end of Valentine, we see Pearl step away from committing herself to a relationship with Finn because they haven't had the chance to get to know each other as friends first. It was one of the things that delighted me most about the book. Ironheart continues to push back against the idea that romantic love is the be-all and end-all. Pearl is very clear that living a life where Finn is the sole and central relationship isn't one that's going to be fulfilling to her--her relationships with her friends and family are no less important. It was a refreshing perspective.
At the same time, it was also sweet to see her relationship with Finn develop, even amid the chaos. It doesn't always go well--Pearl's desire for her own agency means that she's not always forthright with Finn, which backfires. It plays into a wider theme of trust and honesty, which also crop up in several of Pearl's other relationships.
If I had one quibble, it was with the revelation of the identity of the Rider. While it came as a surprise, I felt it was just a little underplayed and perhaps relied a little too heavily on info that came in the first book.
However, overall, I found Ironheart a delightful read and a great continuation of the series.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
February 15, 2019
As good as Valentine, which is saying a lot cos that book is EXCELLENT. Ironheart does what all great sequels should do: raise the stakes and expand the world, while staying true to the tone and themes of the original. Everything moves forward and develops, from the fairy lore and creatures, to the characters and interpersonal relationships (particularly the one between Pearl and Finn, which is SO HOT™️). Perfect book is perfect.
April 22, 2018
This supernatural paranormal thriller of seelies, changleings, unseelies makes quite a change from all the stories about vampires and werewolves that have been told hundreds of different times and ways that I want read more of faes.
The setting of Valentine/Ironheart in the Australian bush and coastal town makes also makes a refreshing change from any town USA.
The setting of Valentine/Ironheart in the Australian bush and coastal town makes also makes a refreshing change from any town USA.
April 18, 2018
Enjoyable YA Australian series, as our intrepid heroine goes to WAR against nasty fae. I liked this generally, it was pleasant, fast reading. Pearl is a fun protagonist, a thirsty, confident smartarse, and I thought that was really enjoyable. As well I liked the romance between her and Finn, I liked the group of friends, and the fallout of the traumatic events of the end of Valentine. A subplot about revenge porn was well handled.
I have some concerns about how white this is, specifically in an Australian bush context -- there is plenty of stories and mythology in the Australian bush and fae an just innately European. I feel that McAlister has made an effort to have a more diverse cast of characters, but I don't know how effective this actually reads. However, in general, I liked and enjoyed this, and will stay with the series.
I have some concerns about how white this is, specifically in an Australian bush context -- there is plenty of stories and mythology in the Australian bush and fae an just innately European. I feel that McAlister has made an effort to have a more diverse cast of characters, but I don't know how effective this actually reads. However, in general, I liked and enjoyed this, and will stay with the series.
January 24, 2024
I loved this so much! The ending, I was kinda unsatisfied with but I think it’ll lead great to the next book! (Which only arrives from Amazon on Saturday) so I’m not sure what to do with myself until then :/ haha
February 17, 2019
2.5⭐️’s. Ironheart was definitely a big step up from Valentine, with the story finally starting to go somewhere. But I still can’t deal with the absolutely dreadful dialogue, the whole paragraph sentences and how whiny and annoying Pearl is(though she was a touch more tolerable this time around)
I also can’t deal with the embarrassing names. PEARL, PARADISE, effing OYSTER?!?!?
Really, truly hoping Misrule can salvage this series.
I also can’t deal with the embarrassing names. PEARL, PARADISE, effing OYSTER?!?!?
Really, truly hoping Misrule can salvage this series.
April 6, 2018
Terrible. If there’s a third book, I’m going to want to shoot myself in the foot.
There were so many things wrong with this book, I wanted to hurl. Half the time it felt like I was skipping chapters because nothing made sense.
Not to mention the ‘plot twists’. Terrible. Not reading it again and definitely not reading any more.
There were so many things wrong with this book, I wanted to hurl. Half the time it felt like I was skipping chapters because nothing made sense.
Not to mention the ‘plot twists’. Terrible. Not reading it again and definitely not reading any more.
May 13, 2022
Reread 2022
Jodi really decided to write two argumentative idiots in love and added a matching hero-martyr-saviour complex to both Pearl and Finn.
I love this series. It’s the fresh Faerie stories we need more of.
Jodi really decided to write two argumentative idiots in love and added a matching hero-martyr-saviour complex to both Pearl and Finn.
I love this series. It’s the fresh Faerie stories we need more of.
September 11, 2022
perfection. she’s kinda dramatic tho. like he saw ur dreams but he literally could not control that at all. big fucking deal? like it doesn’t take half the book to solve that useless conflict :,) otherwise- perfection.
December 9, 2017
SO. GOOD. !!!!!!!
March 5, 2019
Jesus that last line though.
October 20, 2018
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one but was still really good!
February 8, 2019
I loved this book, and I’m so very close to giving it five stars that I might actually just do it.
Why do I love this book? Good question.
I would do dot points but honestly I don’t even know what dot points I’d write. It was more like a vibe. I can’t even explain it. I just enjoyed this book a HELL of a lot. It was so fun and funny and wild and entertaining and Finn was just gorgeous and there was so much happening and the run-on sentences and the erratic thoughts and just everything made me feel like I was living inside the head of an active volcano of a person ready to explode at any second. I spent the whole book waiting waiting waiting and I was not disappointed. Pearl was insane and her thoughts were hard to follow and frantic but I didn’t mind because I was just enjoying being there to hear them. She made funny comments and funny references and I was never mad at her or frustrated I was totally on her side. Like “yes Pearl you have every right to be completely insanely frustrated and annoyed and terrified and these crazy thoughts are justified.”
A part from the vibe, the story was great and the world building was way more developed and I really got a feel for the faerie world that McAlister’s created, which was one thing I found lacking in the first book. In that, the characters knew nothing so I knew nothing, but I wanted to know more. My curiosities were satiated when I read this sequel. And I cannot wait to find out more about the world in Misrule because THAT CLIFFHANGER. Oh no.
Did I mention the characters? Ok some of them were so annoying and angry for no good reason (I’m looking at you Phil). And some were horrific and my god I somehow pushed to the back of my mind that there were cannibals in Valentine and being reminded of them was not fun. But the good characters were great and I love Pearl and I looove Finn. He’s so sad and like “woe is me everyone I love will die I must sacrifice myself” aww Finn, so heroic.
I just really really enjoyed this book. Way more than I remember enjoying the first. I really loved it a lot. It’s weird and different and Pearl’s voice is so clear, I feel I know her so well. I suppose this is kind of Urban Fantasy because it’s set in a very real Melbourne with faeries thrown in. It’s an overall kind of weird genre. And this book was weird. But I just love how Pearl reacted to everything. Like everything was totally WTF and that’s how she felt the entire time. I get you, Pearl.
Anyway, a very near 5 stars. I don’t know why it isn’t 5 stars. No you know what. I’m giving it 5 stars.
Why do I love this book? Good question.
I would do dot points but honestly I don’t even know what dot points I’d write. It was more like a vibe. I can’t even explain it. I just enjoyed this book a HELL of a lot. It was so fun and funny and wild and entertaining and Finn was just gorgeous and there was so much happening and the run-on sentences and the erratic thoughts and just everything made me feel like I was living inside the head of an active volcano of a person ready to explode at any second. I spent the whole book waiting waiting waiting and I was not disappointed. Pearl was insane and her thoughts were hard to follow and frantic but I didn’t mind because I was just enjoying being there to hear them. She made funny comments and funny references and I was never mad at her or frustrated I was totally on her side. Like “yes Pearl you have every right to be completely insanely frustrated and annoyed and terrified and these crazy thoughts are justified.”
A part from the vibe, the story was great and the world building was way more developed and I really got a feel for the faerie world that McAlister’s created, which was one thing I found lacking in the first book. In that, the characters knew nothing so I knew nothing, but I wanted to know more. My curiosities were satiated when I read this sequel. And I cannot wait to find out more about the world in Misrule because THAT CLIFFHANGER. Oh no.
Did I mention the characters? Ok some of them were so annoying and angry for no good reason (I’m looking at you Phil). And some were horrific and my god I somehow pushed to the back of my mind that there were cannibals in Valentine and being reminded of them was not fun. But the good characters were great and I love Pearl and I looove Finn. He’s so sad and like “woe is me everyone I love will die I must sacrifice myself” aww Finn, so heroic.
I just really really enjoyed this book. Way more than I remember enjoying the first. I really loved it a lot. It’s weird and different and Pearl’s voice is so clear, I feel I know her so well. I suppose this is kind of Urban Fantasy because it’s set in a very real Melbourne with faeries thrown in. It’s an overall kind of weird genre. And this book was weird. But I just love how Pearl reacted to everything. Like everything was totally WTF and that’s how she felt the entire time. I get you, Pearl.
Anyway, a very near 5 stars. I don’t know why it isn’t 5 stars. No you know what. I’m giving it 5 stars.
October 13, 2019
Oh damn!! So many things happened and I need to find out what happens next. I was a tad hesitate about starting 'Ironheart', worried that I wouldn't like it. Last week I finally started it as I wanted to read it for this year's Adelaide Supanova. I am now so excited to read the final book in the series!
August 12, 2020
Again, the book was alright, it wasn't bad. I found it better than the first.
April 1, 2022
Made me miss reading the Twilight books.
March 21, 2018
So. . .meh.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
This isn't a bad story, if you are a younger reader and your only real concern is the ongoing relationship of Finn and Pearl.
Will she get him out of the Seelie Summer lands so they can use all the contraceptives her sister bought her?
Yep - that is the burning question left for us in the wake of Pearl's defiance of the Seelie King. To be answered in Book Three, no doubt.
But I won't be importing that one from Australia. The books are cute, but I like my fantasy with a little more meat.
Truly, it's difficult to get worked up over the romantic crises of seventeen year-olds once you've seen firsthand the statistical probability of true love.
Survive the homicidal kelpies and psycho-fairies all you want, odds are, day-to-day life is gonna knock that sweet hormone-driven lust right outta your heart. But good luck anyway, lol.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
This isn't a bad story, if you are a younger reader and your only real concern is the ongoing relationship of Finn and Pearl.
Will she get him out of the Seelie Summer lands so they can use all the contraceptives her sister bought her?
Yep - that is the burning question left for us in the wake of Pearl's defiance of the Seelie King. To be answered in Book Three, no doubt.
But I won't be importing that one from Australia. The books are cute, but I like my fantasy with a little more meat.
Truly, it's difficult to get worked up over the romantic crises of seventeen year-olds once you've seen firsthand the statistical probability of true love.
Survive the homicidal kelpies and psycho-fairies all you want, odds are, day-to-day life is gonna knock that sweet hormone-driven lust right outta your heart. But good luck anyway, lol.
October 14, 2018
Ironheart hey? More like boring-me-to-death-heart.
Sorry, not sorry.
Let's get straight into it. I had a lot of problems with the second instalment of the Valentine Series: Ironheart.
The writing was mostly fine. I continued to enjoy the contemporary feel and the dialogue between characters. I have some concerns with the Writers fear at shying away from big scenes; but who doesn't? Regardless, my issue was not the writing - the writing was fantastic when compared to the plot: nothing could make up for that.
The plot was perhaps the thing I hated most; don't get me wrong I was all for it to begin with - the basis sounds pretty amazing: dangerous and mysterious 'Riders' are coming to kill Finn and Pearl is the potential leader/mascot/diner/power (but not really) and must protect everyone. But it was not all that; it took so long to get anywhere that I got bored more than once and just kind of forgot about it. None of it seemed planned; it felt disjointed and rushed and it did not flow nearly as well as Valentine. Ironheart dragged out with at times with nothing happening for chapters only to rush over other parts in sentences. It was so frustrating. All in all it was very anti-climatic.
As for the characters: they got real fucking annoying real quick; especially Pearl and Finn and Tam and Emily who are all main casts to the story. You've got to be kidding, most of the time I was just wondering could you all kindly fuck off? Honestly, at this point I’m only here for Disey, Phil, and Cardy: these three are the real MVPs.
And the feels; nah bro -not a whole lot of anything. I didn't hate it or love it; even loathing it was too much effort. I just nothing-ed it.
And I had a number of concerns; like way too many for a Series I thought I liked - so I'll just leave them in my short and direct dot points:
- Finn and Pearls forced fighting and angst in the relationship were all kinds of painful. Fuck off.
- Introducing little drama to flesh out the story was not necessary and should have be edited out in the first draft (ie. the theories of Pearl being a serial killer and all that shit)
- Mr Hunter actually being the Rider and not Julian was not a surprise. Though it did feel like a fucking band aid for a gaping wound.
- Mr Hunter having history with Pearl's mother: come on, you can do better than that.
- Helena being the changeling's stolen kid was obvious af.
- As was Phil being the actual Ironheart was predictable af.
- Pearl having some connection to the faeries: duh.
- And the thing that may have annoyed me most was Pearl not being able to find anything about the Riders on the internet. Are you fucking kidding me? The Riders also known as the Wild Hunt? There is so much fucking info on it; there are already books and tv shows and movies and songs and poetry and history dedicated to them. You’re killing me.
Lastly: since Ironheart is predictable as fuck; here are some predictions that will probably play out in the next instalment: Cardy being bad or killed; Pearl being some kind of fairy/mythical/supernatural being; and of course: Finn will probably give up his 'fairiness' or some shit to remain human and stay with Pearl by the end. Anyway, I'm really not feeling the love right now.
In conclusion to this basic bish rant: Ironheart suffered from major Second Book Syndrome and I’m sorry to say it could be terminal (probably). The third instalment: Misrule may just be the only chance of saving the Valentine Series - but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
And DONE.
Sorry, not sorry.
Let's get straight into it. I had a lot of problems with the second instalment of the Valentine Series: Ironheart.
The writing was mostly fine. I continued to enjoy the contemporary feel and the dialogue between characters. I have some concerns with the Writers fear at shying away from big scenes; but who doesn't? Regardless, my issue was not the writing - the writing was fantastic when compared to the plot: nothing could make up for that.
The plot was perhaps the thing I hated most; don't get me wrong I was all for it to begin with - the basis sounds pretty amazing: dangerous and mysterious 'Riders' are coming to kill Finn and Pearl is the potential leader/mascot/diner/power (but not really) and must protect everyone. But it was not all that; it took so long to get anywhere that I got bored more than once and just kind of forgot about it. None of it seemed planned; it felt disjointed and rushed and it did not flow nearly as well as Valentine. Ironheart dragged out with at times with nothing happening for chapters only to rush over other parts in sentences. It was so frustrating. All in all it was very anti-climatic.
As for the characters: they got real fucking annoying real quick; especially Pearl and Finn and Tam and Emily who are all main casts to the story. You've got to be kidding, most of the time I was just wondering could you all kindly fuck off? Honestly, at this point I’m only here for Disey, Phil, and Cardy: these three are the real MVPs.
And the feels; nah bro -not a whole lot of anything. I didn't hate it or love it; even loathing it was too much effort. I just nothing-ed it.
And I had a number of concerns; like way too many for a Series I thought I liked - so I'll just leave them in my short and direct dot points:
- Finn and Pearls forced fighting and angst in the relationship were all kinds of painful. Fuck off.
- Introducing little drama to flesh out the story was not necessary and should have be edited out in the first draft (ie. the theories of Pearl being a serial killer and all that shit)
- Mr Hunter actually being the Rider and not Julian was not a surprise. Though it did feel like a fucking band aid for a gaping wound.
- Mr Hunter having history with Pearl's mother: come on, you can do better than that.
- Helena being the changeling's stolen kid was obvious af.
- As was Phil being the actual Ironheart was predictable af.
- Pearl having some connection to the faeries: duh.
- And the thing that may have annoyed me most was Pearl not being able to find anything about the Riders on the internet. Are you fucking kidding me? The Riders also known as the Wild Hunt? There is so much fucking info on it; there are already books and tv shows and movies and songs and poetry and history dedicated to them. You’re killing me.
Lastly: since Ironheart is predictable as fuck; here are some predictions that will probably play out in the next instalment: Cardy being bad or killed; Pearl being some kind of fairy/mythical/supernatural being; and of course: Finn will probably give up his 'fairiness' or some shit to remain human and stay with Pearl by the end. Anyway, I'm really not feeling the love right now.
In conclusion to this basic bish rant: Ironheart suffered from major Second Book Syndrome and I’m sorry to say it could be terminal (probably). The third instalment: Misrule may just be the only chance of saving the Valentine Series - but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
And DONE.
May 8, 2018
What?
I felt like it was unnecessarily long. And man that sexual tension 😅😅
So much happened and nothing happened...is that possible?
The first one was a lot better.
I felt like it was unnecessarily long. And man that sexual tension 😅😅
So much happened and nothing happened...is that possible?
The first one was a lot better.
October 29, 2018
2.5. I dropped my rating from 4 stars because on retrospect, the book was okay but it didn’t live up to my expectations as I loved the first one as much as I did. It was A LOT darker/ more mature than the original which I didn’t expect at all, and I honestly starting questioning why it was YA after I first finished it. I just remember the main character being so angry which kinda turned me off the book and made it hard to read. That being said, there was a reason I rated it 4 stars in the first place, so take this with a grain of salt.
February 5, 2019
A really great example of how to write the middle book of a trilogy: all the stakes are raised, all the relationships develop & shift, and the consequences are real.
October 14, 2021
I think it’s good, and I would definitely recommend, but I only rated 3 stars because it took ages for the plot to come. I now have no choice but to read the 3rd book because the end just shocked me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2019
Review taken from my blog, lostinsideofaboo.wordpress.com
RATING
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Because this wonderful novel, the first book whose release I had been anticipating in 2018, was even better than I had dreamed, and left me desperately searching Goodreads to find out when the next instalment is going to be released.
REVIEW
I feel like I need to start this review with a disclaimer: I am rather biased about this book. It is a YA fantasy book, written by an Australia author, and set in Australia, which meant that I was a little bit in love with the series before I had even read the first page of the first book! Luckily, the first book was so wonderful that I think it would have quickly become a favourite even if it hadn’t meant so much to me personally, and I was so excited for the release of the second book in the series, which I finished yesterday.
I loved Valentine because of its unusual and intriguing story line, realistic characters, and witty writing style, and all those elements carried through to Ironheart. The mythology of the world McAlister has created was further developed in this sequel, and it has become one of my favourite fictional worlds. I love the way she takes well known myths and legends and weaves them into her story, creating a wonderfully detailed mythos that feels incredibly real. As you are reading, you get the sense that McAlister has devoted a lot of time to researching and developing her world, and that gives it a gravitas that can sometimes be hard to achieve in fantasy.
The depth and realism of McAlister’s world is further strengthened by her characters. Every single one of her characters felt genuine and real to me as I was reading, and I could relate to them in a way that I struggle to in many stories. The characters are diverse, complex, and multi-faceted, and they think and act in ways that I would expect real people to think and act if they were faced with similar situations. I particularly loved the pop-culture references that were scattered throughout the story; sometimes pop-culture references come across as forced, as if the author is trying their best to be hip and relatable but doesn’t really know what they are talking about, but that was never the case in Ironheart. Everything the characters said and did and referenced came across as genuine, and I could vividly imagine myself or my friends saying or doing the same things.
The romance between Pearl and Finn was something I struggled with a little bit in Valentine. The inclusion of romantic subplots in action and adventure stories is a major pet peeve of mine, and I have been known to yell at (or grumble quietly at if I am in a cinema and would rather not get thrown out) characters who get caught up in relationship drama while the world is ending around them. While the romance subplot continues in Ironheart, and if anything plays an even larger part, I didn’t find myself getting annoyed at it at all. I think this is predominantly because of the thoughts and reactions of Pearl to her blossoming romance. I vividly remember how overwhelming relationships can be as a teenager, and I love the fact that McAlister so accurately represents this while also acknowledging how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. Pearl becomes annoyed with herself for getting distracted by Finn on numerous occasions, and no matter where things are in their relationship she prioritises the problems they are facing over spending time with him – she is not going to let relationship drama get in the way of her saving the day, and I loved that so much.
I could happily write paragraphs more detailing every little thing I loved about this book, but I am going to try and show some self control and leave things here, so that you can discover the many hidden gems within this world for yourself when you read it, which I definitely recommend doing as soon as you can!
TO SUMMARISE
A wonderful continuation of a fantasy series I adore, full of relatable characters and with an intriguing, complex and detailed mythology that I can’t wait to explore further. This book successfully pulled me out of a reading rut, and had me constantly excited to find out what happened next!
RATING
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Because this wonderful novel, the first book whose release I had been anticipating in 2018, was even better than I had dreamed, and left me desperately searching Goodreads to find out when the next instalment is going to be released.
REVIEW
I feel like I need to start this review with a disclaimer: I am rather biased about this book. It is a YA fantasy book, written by an Australia author, and set in Australia, which meant that I was a little bit in love with the series before I had even read the first page of the first book! Luckily, the first book was so wonderful that I think it would have quickly become a favourite even if it hadn’t meant so much to me personally, and I was so excited for the release of the second book in the series, which I finished yesterday.
I loved Valentine because of its unusual and intriguing story line, realistic characters, and witty writing style, and all those elements carried through to Ironheart. The mythology of the world McAlister has created was further developed in this sequel, and it has become one of my favourite fictional worlds. I love the way she takes well known myths and legends and weaves them into her story, creating a wonderfully detailed mythos that feels incredibly real. As you are reading, you get the sense that McAlister has devoted a lot of time to researching and developing her world, and that gives it a gravitas that can sometimes be hard to achieve in fantasy.
The depth and realism of McAlister’s world is further strengthened by her characters. Every single one of her characters felt genuine and real to me as I was reading, and I could relate to them in a way that I struggle to in many stories. The characters are diverse, complex, and multi-faceted, and they think and act in ways that I would expect real people to think and act if they were faced with similar situations. I particularly loved the pop-culture references that were scattered throughout the story; sometimes pop-culture references come across as forced, as if the author is trying their best to be hip and relatable but doesn’t really know what they are talking about, but that was never the case in Ironheart. Everything the characters said and did and referenced came across as genuine, and I could vividly imagine myself or my friends saying or doing the same things.
The romance between Pearl and Finn was something I struggled with a little bit in Valentine. The inclusion of romantic subplots in action and adventure stories is a major pet peeve of mine, and I have been known to yell at (or grumble quietly at if I am in a cinema and would rather not get thrown out) characters who get caught up in relationship drama while the world is ending around them. While the romance subplot continues in Ironheart, and if anything plays an even larger part, I didn’t find myself getting annoyed at it at all. I think this is predominantly because of the thoughts and reactions of Pearl to her blossoming romance. I vividly remember how overwhelming relationships can be as a teenager, and I love the fact that McAlister so accurately represents this while also acknowledging how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. Pearl becomes annoyed with herself for getting distracted by Finn on numerous occasions, and no matter where things are in their relationship she prioritises the problems they are facing over spending time with him – she is not going to let relationship drama get in the way of her saving the day, and I loved that so much.
I could happily write paragraphs more detailing every little thing I loved about this book, but I am going to try and show some self control and leave things here, so that you can discover the many hidden gems within this world for yourself when you read it, which I definitely recommend doing as soon as you can!
TO SUMMARISE
A wonderful continuation of a fantasy series I adore, full of relatable characters and with an intriguing, complex and detailed mythology that I can’t wait to explore further. This book successfully pulled me out of a reading rut, and had me constantly excited to find out what happened next!
May 8, 2019
This book, similarly to Valentine, its predecessor, had some extreme high points, but it also had a few things that let me down.
Let's start with the bad stuff though, because I am definitely going to rable a bit when it comes to the good. My main issues were:
1. the narration style - the book is written in the way that adults often think teenagers speak. And as someone who's kind of on the border of this age bracket... it bothered me a little.
2. the rather vague (but definitely present) sexual scenes - I know this is primarily a matter of opinion but it wasn't my favourite part of the book (or the previous one, to be completely honest).
Anyways, onto the good stuff!
McAlister is a talented writer. The tension and climax in the last 100 or so pages left me literally pulling at my hair by the end of it.
Seeing not only the character growth and development, but the unfolding of the story itself was mind-blowing. The story unraveled in a gentle way at first, but then got quick and dirty and dark and amazing.
All in all, this book was good. It gets points for plot, and characters (even if Phil pissed me off a little), and settings, and creativity. Loses out a little in narration and explicit moments. But that's just my two cents.
Let's start with the bad stuff though, because I am definitely going to rable a bit when it comes to the good. My main issues were:
1. the narration style - the book is written in the way that adults often think teenagers speak. And as someone who's kind of on the border of this age bracket... it bothered me a little.
2. the rather vague (but definitely present) sexual scenes - I know this is primarily a matter of opinion but it wasn't my favourite part of the book (or the previous one, to be completely honest).
Anyways, onto the good stuff!
McAlister is a talented writer. The tension and climax in the last 100 or so pages left me literally pulling at my hair by the end of it.
Seeing not only the character growth and development, but the unfolding of the story itself was mind-blowing. The story unraveled in a gentle way at first, but then got quick and dirty and dark and amazing.
All in all, this book was good. It gets points for plot, and characters (even if Phil pissed me off a little), and settings, and creativity. Loses out a little in narration and explicit moments. But that's just my two cents.
May 20, 2025
This was more of a 3.5 than a 4 star for me, since I liked the first book a bit more but I had enough fun reading it that I had to round up. Once again, Jodi McAlister absolutely nails the character voice for Pearl which makes the story so enjoyable to read and the plot is twisty and unrelenting. I really loved the new characters introduced in this book, especially Tam, and the information revealed about characters like Helena and Holly helped keep the existing side cast feeling fresh and interesting. Again, the fey were truly so malevolent which is exactly what I wanted for a fairie depiction, it's really gratifying to read the way this story portrays them and their powers. I do think the overall plot was slightly weaker in this book than in Valentine but as it's the second book in a trilogy I can forgive what it needed to do to bridge the plot towards the finale.
Thank god we've received confirmation that Ranga Dave has yet to succumb to his ignoble demise off page, may he pull through and survive the trilogy (praying hands emoji). Also the more of Helena I see the more I don't understand why Pearl and Disey are so full of hatred for her, sure she's a little bit annoying in the first book but she seems so genuinely sweet that every time Disey gags at a mention of her it just feels so mean, and I was shocked that even after Helena revealing that Pearl was still a hater???? Like at this point it felt so out of pocket, sure she What was she going to do, say no?????? She literally got Pearl a job at the most helpful business in town for fairy victims out of the goodness of her heart, I need Helena to get the respect she deserves in Misrule because this was too much!!
Thank god we've received confirmation that Ranga Dave has yet to succumb to his ignoble demise off page, may he pull through and survive the trilogy (praying hands emoji). Also the more of Helena I see the more I don't understand why Pearl and Disey are so full of hatred for her, sure she's a little bit annoying in the first book but she seems so genuinely sweet that every time Disey gags at a mention of her it just feels so mean, and I was shocked that even after Helena revealing that Pearl was still a hater???? Like at this point it felt so out of pocket, sure she What was she going to do, say no?????? She literally got Pearl a job at the most helpful business in town for fairy victims out of the goodness of her heart, I need Helena to get the respect she deserves in Misrule because this was too much!!
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