Ironside (Black novel)
| Company type | Publishing company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Books |
| Website | www |
Ironside: A Modern Faerie Tale is a young adult urban fantasy novel authored by Holly Black, released in 2007 under Simon & Schuster's Margaret K. McElderry imprint, intended for readers aged 14 and older.
Serving as a direct follow-up to Black’s debut work Tithe (2002), this book concludes the [A] Modern Tale of Faerie trilogy, which also includes the loosely connected second installment, Valiant (2005). Black characterizes Tithe as "suburban fantasy," set against the backdrop of the Jersey Shore infused with faerie lore, a setting that Ironside continues to explore.
Plot summary
While Roiben prepares to ascend as ruler in Faerie, pixie Kaye faces adversity within the unfriendly Unseelie Court but remains steadfast in her devotion to him. After confessing her love under the influence of faerie wine, Roiben assigns her an impossible mission: to locate a faerie capable of lying—an act considered unattainable—which results in a break in their communication.
Kaye and her friend Corny observe Kaye’s mother Ellen performing at a bar, where they catch the attention of a faerie man. When Corny confronts this stranger, he is cursed so that anything he touches begins to wither. Feeling increasingly isolated, Kaye confides in her mother about her changeling identity and decides to find her human counterpart from the Seelie Court to bring her back to Ironside. Silarial steps in to offer protection, appointing Luis—a boy introduced in Valiant who is immune to faerie magic—to accompany them.
Silarial issues a challenge to Roiben: he must defeat her champion and secure seven years of peace while installing his sister Ethine as ruler, or face death. At the Seelie Court, Kaye resists efforts to manipulate her into betraying Roiben by exploiting his name and escapes while holding Ethine hostage. Upon returning home, she discovers Kate—her human double—in her room. After making peace with her mother, Kaye learns that her grandmother mistakenly believes Kate is a secret sibling.
Corny trades Ethine for the release of Luis’ brother but only receives his brother’s corpse. Luis attempts to turn Corny’s curse on himself but breaks it through tears of saltwater. Realizing that Roiben must confront Ethine rather than Talathain as anticipated, Kaye fulfills Roiben’s quest by claiming she can lie—an ironic falsehood—to warn him.
Roiben triumphs over Ethine but permits her to name her successor before ending her life. Despite Silarial’s protests, Ethine designates Roiben as heir. Silarial forewarns of an imminent conflict between the courts; however, Roiben reveals an army of exiled faeries encircling the Seelie Court. When Silarial threatens Kaye, Ethine kills her with a gifted sword and abdicates the crown to Roiben, who unites both courts under his leadership, establishing peace.
Kaye agrees to educate Kate about human existence in exchange for learning more about faerie life herself. She intends to open a coffee shop in Ironside alongside Corny and Luis—now romantically involved—and plans to divide her time between Faery and Earth. She explains that her ability to "lie" also refers literally to lying down, thus resolving the paradox of her quest.
Characters
- Kaye: A changeling pixie devoted to Roiben, Lord of the Night Court; tasked with an impossible mission for her protection.
- Roiben: Former knight serving both Seelie and Unseelie Courts; now Night Court Lord; deeply loves Kaye and entrusts her with a perilous task.
- Corny: Kaye’s closest friend; cautious around faeries due to past manipulation; openly gay and attracted to Luis.
- Luis: An orphaned youth shielding his brother Dave from faerie threats; possesses the Sight (ability to see through glamour); attracted to Corny.
- Silarial: Queen of the Bright Court and Roiben’s former lover.
- Ethine: Roiben’s sister and former Bright Court heir who relinquished her claim.
- Lutie-loo "Lutie": Kaye’s faerie companion and moral guide.
- Ellen: Kaye’s mother; biological mother of Kate, who is Kaye’s human counterpart.
- Kate: Ellen’s biological daughter and Kaye’s counterpart.
- Adair: Knight of the Bright Court sent by Silarial to Ironside; encounters Corny and is ultimately killed by him.
- Talathain: Knight of the Bright Court who harbors feelings for Ethine.
Reception
Ironside: A Modern Faerie Tale garnered predominantly favorable critiques. Cheryl Preisendorfer from School Library Journal lauded its "magical," "darkly beautiful," and "captivating" elements, particularly noting the distinct voice given to each character. Lynn Rutan characterized the book as a "dark, edgy fantasy" and deemed it essential for any collection. Teenreads' Sarah Wood admired Black's nuanced depiction of faeries, emphasizing the depth that surpasses typical fantasy stereotypes.
Eva Mitnick praised Black's "genuine urban vernacular," while Wood observed that Kaye's innocence renders her vulnerable to manipulation. Rutan highlighted the novel’s exploration of themes such as identity crises, betrayal, allegiance, and love, presenting it as a classic coming-of-age narrative.
Allusions
- Within Roiben's quarters, Kaye browses through "an Emma Bull paperback she'd lent him," alluding to the urban fantasy work War for the Oaks.
- The Unseelie messenger bears the name "Thistledown," which appears to reference the faerie monarch featured in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.
- At the café, Corny brings up larping and quips, "Now I'm obfuscating, and you have to pay my tab," a nod to Vampire: The Masquerade.
External links
- Ironside on Holly Black's official website (blackholly.com)