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 … 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.
“What a delight to discover how much I loved being back in the Wicked Lovely world, discovering details about beloved characters that made me want to race back for a series reread. This is Irial’s story set in 1890s New Orleans, brimming with faerie court drama and steamy romance. Can we. and should we, outrun fate? And if so, are we prepared for the consequences? I could not put it down.” –Angela Mann, Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park CA
“Set 100 years before the events in Wicked Lovely, Cold Iron Heart finds Irial, the king of the Dark Court, in New Orleans and entranced by a mortal. Is his interest in Thelma Foy just a passing fascination, or could it change the course of her life and the world forever? Melissa Marr masterfully rises to challenge of writing a prequel by both expanding on the mythology of the original series while telling a story that exists wholly on its own. Fans of the series will inhale this delicious glimpse into Irial’s past.”–John McDougall of Murder by the Book
“In this prequel to the Wicked Lovely Novel series, narrators Kristin James and Tim Paige–both gifted with rich, easily distinguishable voices–immerse the listener in the elegant, fascinating, deadly, and intriguing world of the Summer and Winter Faery Courts. Lovely jeweler Thelma Foy, who has the second sight and can see faeries, catches the eye of the Dark King himself. Unbeknownst to Thelma, she is the key to ending the battle between the two courts. James has a lilting, lush, and whispery voice that perfectly captures Thelma. Paige has an affected mien that is equally perfect for the gorgeous and hedonistic king. This listen is wicked–wickedly enjoyable.” –A.C.P. © AudioFile 2020
“Set against the lush backdrop of 1890s New Orleans, Marr’s spellbinding prequel to the Wicked Lovely urban fantasy series invites readers back into the world of the fae. . . . The resulting conflict delivers all the magic, intrigue, and romance that Marr’s fans expect. Readers will be pleased.” –Publisher’s Weekly
“Cold Iron Heart is a beautiful example of gorgeous prose holding that balance between lush and detailed yet stays far away from purple prose. It encapsulates the energy of Marr’s faerie world. The dark faeries that trick and torture men in brothels. The hounds of the Hunt that provide a carriage for their Dark King. The house that holds a dangerous faerie court. Ancient beings wearing top hats and heels. It’s that perfect details that separates Marr from the rest of authors that weave fantastical beings into the modern. This does not feel like anything being published right now. I will gladly be destroyed by more of Melissa Marr’s books. I want to fall into the madness of her words and worlds.”– The Alliterates
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When I heard one of my favorite authors had written a prequel to one of my favorite series (Wicked Lovely), I HAD to have it. Set in 1890s New Orleans, this is Irial’s story, and it is filled with the terrifying drama and poignant, HOT romance that is the hallmark of Wicked Lovely. Highly recommend!!
Potential for fun story, but characters are rather thin.
Everything I didn’t know I needed about an Irial prequel!!! OMG I loved it and I loved being able to go back into the Wicked Lovely world before everything became so modern, AND it’s set in New Orleans!! Irial was always my favorite but now he’s definitely the ultimate! I absolutely loved this book. 5 stars and 2 thumbs way way up.
Firstly i must say….. Melissa Marr is an incredible writer. I read the Wicked Lovely series almost a decade ago and am still doting on it as the best, most immersive Faery tale. So, when years later I read this prequel, I am both unsurprised and awed at her ability to pull me completely in. It is also no surprise that a story centered on Irial, the Dark King, and a mortal he falls for has me in tears. I’m a sucker for pain; though, as this story pulls at all of my heart strings I love it, nontheless.
Cold Iron Heart is a prequel to the Wicked Lovely series. The story focuses on Thelma aka Tam and the Dark King Iral featuring all the other key players of the other courts as well as the current winter girl Rika. Set in New Orleans in the late 1800’s Tam is an independent woman. A jewelry maker hell bent on never getting married or having kids and never having to rely on a man for anything she works tirelessly to support herself.
However, Tam is gifted with the sight. For as long as she could remember she could see fairies and see them for what they truly are, including the Dark King. Iral has the ability to detect sighted mortals, so when he notices that Tam can see him and his kind he is instantly in awe and pursues her. Tam on the other hand does everything in her power to avoid the faires and makes sure that they never find out that she can see them. That is until her affection for Iral grows and the Dark King is determined to keep Tam away from summer.
Cold Iron Heart id a good intro to the Wicked Lovely series. However, I just wished Marr would have gone in depth with the specifics of the curse. Things like why is it Tam’s bloodline specifically? What are the terms and parameters of the curse? Do the women in Tam’s family only reproduce girls, do they not have more than one kid, and can that kid not be a boy? Things like that. Also, there is a big revelation that is revealed at the end that I wish Marr would also go in depth with but judging from the description of the next book she might unveil some bombshells in that book.
made me want to go back and read all of the wicked lovely series again. had forgotten how enjoyable they are
Cold Iron Heart is a delicious historic fantasy set in New Orleans in the1890s. The main character is Thelma, a mortal woman and jeweler born with the Second Sight (an ability to see through faery glamour). She moves to New Orleans because, unlike the rural countryside where fey beings thrive, the iron that decorates New Orleans makes the city less hospitable to weaker faeries. Despite this, it quickly becomes clear that fey are being drawn to the city. The Dark Court—and most importantly their king, Irial, enjoy the debauchery of the seedier parts of New Orleans. Kelpies occupy the Mississippi river, along with Jenny Greenteeth and her sisters. And, the Summer Court is on their way there as well. Set against this backdrop, a slow burn story of seduction and steamy romance between Thelma and Irial unfolds.
As a fan of the Wicked Lovely series, this prequel was a pure joy to read. But it also stands alone as a rich historic fantasy with a well realized setting and mythology.