Copperhead (Ironskin)

My biggest gripe with the first book in this series, Ironskin, was that I liked a touch more romance in my Fantastical Bronte-esque fiction.Not so with the second in this series, Copperhead.In Ironskin we are introduced to a society where the fey and humans have had a big war and now the fey seemed to all but have disappeared back into the forest from whence they came. Except for the startling beautiful faces of the Hundred Society women Rochart made out of fey-infused clay in the first book, Ironskin.Now Ironskin's main character, Jane, is trying to replace the fey faces with the Hundred's original faces-- including that of her sister, Helen.Helen wants to help, but what's a girl whose fooled everyone into believing she's air-headed and ditzy to do when fey bits start appearing all over town, Jane disappears, and a secret society begins constructing strange apparatus, making curfews, and taking over the town?And what about that strange man in black who keeps appearing when Helen needs him most?Although you could plunge into Helen's story without reading Ironskin, first, I recommend reading the books in order. I think Helen's discovery of her own powers-- with or without her fey face-- are made more poignant by having learned of Jane's story in the first book.While I did get a bit tangled up when it came to the climactic Helen vs. the Fey King scene at the end to who was doing what with which bits of fey, Helen herself is so much fun to hang along with as she tries to reconcile the role she's played as the dutiful wife and daughter with the desires to protect her sister and the city, that it doesn't matter. The understated, quiet building of feelings between her and the man in black also kept the romance lover in me reading on.A lovely addition to the series featuring a heroine just as plucky as Jane, but in her own way. (and still a lovely Bronte-esque society without the major borrowings from Jane Eyre that Ironskin had)This Book's Snack Rating: Garlic Parmesan Kettle Chips for the solid crunch of Helen's transformation flavored with yummy bits of fey, period society, and hijinks

When I read Ironskin, the companion novel to this one last year I thought it was a pretty unique retelling with fantasy elements that I not only enjoyed but really wanted more of. I didn't quite get the world building and a definite ending that I was hoping for so when this one came out I just knew that it was something I needed to read as well. If not to hopefully get more glimpses of Jane than to at least learn more about the world Jane and Helen lived in.Where Ironskin was lacking in explanation and world building, this one excelled. The author really came through with wonderful descriptions about the fey, finally explaining the Great War in more length, and delving into the dwarvven beings as well. I was utterly satisfied with where the author took the story and ran with it.While I wasn't a huge fan of the materialist and sometimes shallow Helen in Ironskin, this was her moment to shine. Her character not only went from a timid self centered young girl to a strong and capable woman but her character grew in all most every way imaginable. She stepped up and took control of a very out of control situation and came through splendidly. In fact her character really grew on me throughout the story and I found myself rooting for her the whole way through.Once again the author managed to blend the old (historical) with the new (fantasy element) and pulled off a stunning setting fit for any lover of both genres.My only regret is that Jane didn't have a bigger, stronger role in this installment. I really fell in love with her feisty strong willed character in the first book and I wanted more of her and Rochart. I didn't feel we got enough of their ending in the first book and was slightly disappointed that there wasn't more to their love story. And although there wasn't more to their story there was definitely an ending to it and for that I am grateful. In fact, I love how the whole story was told, how it ended and how it leaves it open for more adventures in the future.Connolly did an amazing job creating something unique, dangerous, and utterly fun.

It was a good read, quick and not overly romantic, I enjoyed the heroine's personality and the plot was interesting.

It's rare that a sequel is just as enjoyable as the original (especially when the original is as good as Ironskin!), but Copperhead is exciting, engrossing, nonstop entertainment. Highly recommended!

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Each book is different but tells a tale that follows onwards from book 1. I bought them one after another!

Very good book which follows on from Ironskin and makes a lot more sense. You do have to read these books in order because what Jane does in the first book with her fey power and strong mindedness makes Helen into the stronger woman and heroine in this book an you also find out what Copperhead is and means, not quite what you would expect. Alister was a good man and husband most of the time but always wanted more and redeemed himself at the end.some of the characters were nasty and got what they deserved. Liked Rook and glad he was there for Helen