It’s somewhat frustrating because it’s necessary to read this book before reading Shadow Heir. Unfortunately, the development is pretty much irrelevant to everything else that happened in Iron Crowned. There is a development at the end that changes the entire future of the books that follow. The book itself isn’t as well written or interesting as I hoped, but I can see how it is crucial to the series. Instead of being strong, Eugenie is weak and unable to strike out on her own, or find a new lover. Mead creates annoying conflicts between Eugenie and the men in her life, casting no character in a good light. Iron Crowned delves into Eugenie’s loyalty and personal relationship. Obtaining the crown costs Eugenie more than she could have ever imagined. But as the Thorn Land's new queen, she's desperately searching for a way to end the war devastating her kingdom. Back in the mortal realm, shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham was skilled at banishing beings that didn't belong. Eugenie embarks on a quest for the crown, assisted by her shape-shifting ex-boyfriend Kiyo. In this sexy paranormal thriller, a powerful shaman queen takes the ultimate risk to stop a war that threatens to destroy her Otherworldly kingdom. Rumors begin to stir of a legendary crown, the Iron crown, that can end the war once and for all, and more importantly, bloodlessly. The war is bitter and weighing heavily on Eugenie’s conscience. This third installment of Dark Swan focuses on the war between part-time shaman and full-time Queen of the Thorn Land, Eugenie, her ally and consort, Dorian, King of the Oak Land, and Katrice, Queen of the Rowan Land. I haven’t picked up a book by Richelle Mead in a while. My memory was a little foggy on what happened previously in this series. Iron Crowned, Book 3 of the Dark Swan Series

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead