#Review - Cold Iron Heart by Melissa Marr #Urban #Fantasy

Series: Wicked Lovely #0.5
Format: Kindle, 270 pages
Release Date: May 4th 2020
Publisher: Melissa Marr
Source: Goodreads Winner
Genre: Urban Fantasy

How far would you go to escape fate?

In this prequel to the international bestselling WICKED LOVELY series (over a million copies sold), the Faery Courts collide a century before the mortals in Wicked Lovely are born.

Thelma Foy, a jeweler with the Second Sight in iron-bedecked 1890s New Orleans, wasn’t expecting to be caught in a faery conflict. Tam can see through the glamours faeries wear to hide themselves from mortals, but if her secret were revealed, the fey would steal her eyes, her life, or her freedom. So, Tam doesn’t respond when they trail thorn-crusted fingertips through her hair at the French Market or when the Dark King sings along with her in the bayou.

But when the Dark King, Irial, rescues her, Tam must confront everything she thought she knew about faeries, men, and love.

Too soon, New Orleans is filling with faeries who are looking for her, and Irial is the only one who can keep her safe.

Unbeknownst to Tam, she is the prize in a centuries-old fight between Summer Court and Winter Court. To protect her, Irial must risk a war he can’t win--or surrender the first mortal woman he's loved.

Cold Iron Heart, by author Melissa Marr, is the prequel to the Wicked Lovely series. The story, set 100 years before the events in Wicked Lovely, alternates between Thelma (Tam) Foy, Irial (Dark King), and Niall (Adviser to Summer King Kennan). Cold Iron Heart finds Irial, the king of the Dark Court, in 1890's New Orleans entranced by a mortal, Thelma Foy. Is it just a passing fascination, or could it change the course of her life and the world forever?

Thelma aka Tam moved to New Orleans due to the fact that women have little chances of success in a man's world and New Orleans has plenty of iron to keep fey away from her. Tam is a jeweler looking for a break. Her pieces she sells keeps her rent paid and food on the table but not much else. What makes her so special? Tam has the Second Sight which allows her to see through the faery glamours they use to hide themselves from mortals. If her secret is revealed, the fey would steal her eyes, her life, or her freedom. 

Tam wasn’t expecting to be caught in a faery conflict that will see her whole life twisted in ways she could never imagine. Until she encounters Irial. So, Tam doesn’t respond when they touch her, or call out her name, or when the Dark King sings along with her in the bayou. But, Irial pushes all of the right buttons. He makes her feel special and wanted and not just a toss away. Unbeknownst to Tam, she is the prize in a centuries-old fight between Summer Court and Winter Court.

Irial was born to tempt. He's also kind of a real bastard truth be told especially when it comes to Niall. His court is all about debauchery. Fey can't lie, they can't cross moving water, they can't allow anyone to see them, they love sweets, and tormenting mortals. Irial knows that Kennan, the Summer King, has been searching without any luck for his missing Queen for centuries. His search will soon be coming to New Orleans where his court has set up shop. 

With the curse of the court, the world will be growing colder and colder until they find a mortal who carries sunlight. Irial knows there is something different about Tam. She tempts him with desires that could be dangerous. To protect her, Irial must risk a war he can’t win--or surrender the first mortal woman he's loved. A century ago, Tam would have been stolen by Sorcha and brought to Faerie. She still does bring Sighted mortals to her home.

In this world, Keenan searches for his Queen, while Rika, Summer Girl, tries to get the object of his attention to run away. Then, of course, there is Beira, the Winter Queen, who is just plain evil and never wants Keenan to find his match since the longer he goes without his Queen, the longer Winter gets to spread across the world. The story also features a slew of characters like Jenny Greenteeth, Gabriel, Leader of the Wild Hunt, Sorcha, the High Queen, and Bananch, sister to Sorcha. There is also a short story that takes place after the end of the Wicked Lovely series called Love Hurts featuring Irial, Leslie and Niall.  

This is a very adult story with obscenities and sexual situations. It's fair to say that by the end of the story, the author ties up how Tam is connected to the Wicked Lovely characters. The short story ties up loose ends in Irial's wondering if any of his children are still living. Readers of the Wicked Lovely story can easily answer that question. Was this really necessary? Well no, but the author has spent 10 years being bombarded by fans demanding more. So, here you go!   

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