Tuesday, July 19, 2011

A (Spoiler-free) chat about Ash

So. With The Iron Knight out on Netgalley, and Ash's story already in the wild, I thought I would post my very brief (spoiler-free) thoughts about the dark, broody prince, and the expectations that might be floating around.
















It's always a gamble writing a book in the POV of an already established character, especially one who has been seen through the eyes of someone else. We see the character as the protagonist sees them; we don't know their thoughts, their feelings, the dark, ugly traits that they keep hidden from everyone else. And if the protagonist happens to be in love with said character, things get even more muddied.

Getting into their head is another matter entirely.

Case in point. Its a common occurrence; when an actor is chosen to play the role of a particular character in a book, everyone always says: "he looks nothing like him," or "that's not how I imagined him at all." This is because we've built up our own image of the character, through traits, character description, and our own preferences. And everyone has a different image in mind. Its impossible to meet everyone's expectations.

The same can be said of a book character.

As I said before, it was a gamble switching to Ash's POV. Before, readers have only seen him as Meghan does: handsome, brooding, protective, dangerous, devoted. But in The Iron Knight, we meet the real Ash, stripped of his air of mystery, his real thoughts and emotions laid bare. It might surprise some people. It might anger some people. To know the Ash they built up in their head is quite different then the real Ash. The Winter prince is not an emotionless automaton: he has fears and insecurities like everyone else. He has also lived a long time, and his past has not been a pleasant one. There are old wounds, scars, past sorrows, and regret. To give him his own story means there are no illusions anymore; this is Ash at his darkest, most intimate level. He might not be what you expected.

I will promise one thing, though. The prince of the Unseelie Court has always been my favorite, and I tried to portray him as honestly as I could. Writing his story was difficult sometimes, because I had to dig deep into Ash and bring all these things to light. But I can say with utter confidence that I regret nothing in Ash's story, and to the readers who love the Winter prince as much as me, this one is for you.



I'd love to hear your thoughts/predictions/expectations. (Though I will answer no spoiler-ish questions about The Iron Knight. The gremlins will eat me if I do.)

49 comments:

  1. I for one think it was a good idea to make an Ash POV, because yes, we see him as perfect.(Perfect is too untouchable), But perfect does not exist. So to see under the perfect glamour is something to look forward. And I'm sure once we see ( I for one surely) under that how Ash really is we will like him even more. You can't really say you like someone after knowing only the brooding chevalier image you receive. ^_^ TEAM ASH no matter what! ^_^

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  2. Ash was so wonderful in The Iron Knight, I loved seeing this other side of him. A job well done :)

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  3. I am thoroughly excited to see things from Ash's POV. I think that he has given so much to Meghan but then sometimes he tucks it all away again and to know why, to finally have a chance to understand the brooding and emotionless side of him, will give him depth and beauty.

    I've always been Team Ash; that kind of devotion is so heart wrenching for me to read and his level of complexity keeps me turning to him...to unravel him.

    Not to mention, I envision him entirely sexy :)

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  4. I can't wait to read. The series has been a joy to follow by me and my daughter. You could tell it from the cats POV and it would be good. I think it will be EPIC.

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  5. Damn, I'm dying to read it ...
    TEAM ASH FTW!!!!

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  6. Wow I would love to see a Grimalkin POV. All I’d read is “I’m a cat.” which makes me laugh every time he says that.

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  7. That was exactly what I expected to hear from you Jullie to me Ash is the best character in IRON fey.
    I love everyone!
    But Ash is special to me ...
    I expect nothing more nothing less to figure out how he is inside, not only the vision that Megan has it.
    Who loves Ash as I will love will never be disappointed or frustrated independet of their actions

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  8. Ash's POV is wonderful; you really get right into his head. I think what's most interesting is seeing how he's changed - how his thoughts form - now, having been affected by those close to him. It's easy to see this separation and it really adds to his character.

    Thank you for introducing him to us! We'll forever swoon over the Unseelie Prince. :)

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  9. I can't wait to read Ash's POV! I have it from NetGalley and hope to get to it next. I planned to start it asap but I needed a little bit of adult UF to cleanse the pallet if you will. :)

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  10. I agree A.M. Bells up there. I was starting not to like Ash because he seemed to much of a perfect person, but I hope The Iron Knight will change my mind about that.

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  11. It's like this, people fell in lust with the idea and persona of Ash, with his mystery and everything else, but now with Ash's original story and POV, and all his secrets and inner thoughts out in the open, well see who are the people who are going to REALLY fall in love.

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  12. Julie I'm sure the book will be perfect, whether he's what we imagined or not. :)
    I mean, remember when the models were shown for Puck and Ash? Many people said they were terrible. Now, I can't look at the cover without melting.

    Will there be anything else available from Puck's point of view?
    And: Who is Ash's father?!?!?!!!! (It's eating me up inside.)
    And: How old is Ash? I know he's nothing compared to Puck, but in IQ you alluded to their ages (when they were going through the old giant ares)

    Team <3Puck<3 Forever! (You'd better do a post on him too, Julie!

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  13. I have loved Ash since the first book and I don't think that would change. I am looking forward to 'The Iron Knight' *sighs and waits*

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  14. I cant wait for this one.
    I love Ash, and I cant wait to read whats inside his head!

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  15. I'm so excited to read Iron Knight. I don't know what I expect from reading Ash's POV. I love how Meghan sees him but I really want to know what he thinks. Team Ash always!

    StuckInBooks.com

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  16. i can't wait to read the iron knight! yeah, i see what you mean, but i could never get mad or angery or anything with "the real ash" because it's being written by you, julie, and you made him and gave him all what he is, so whatever lies in the iron kinght, some ppl might not like it and some will, but if you like it, its good enough for me!

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  17. I can imagine what a gamble it is to write a book from Ash's POV, but those of us who are fans of the series appreciate that you did. We all want to know what goes on in his head and now we get that chance.

    I'm extremely excited to read The Iron Knight!

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  18. I think writing from Ash's POV is exactly what I want. He's already been set up as a mystery for three books and 2 short stories, and, like any mystery, if the reader never knows the truth behind it, it's a huge let down. At some point, you need to know what's really going on with that mysterious character.

    I'm so happy about this book because I want this kind of illumination on characters from other stories, anime, manga, and video games that I will probably NEVER get! (Why do the Japanese have to be keep their characters so mysterious forever!) Thank you for doing it just right and setting up the mystery and revealing it at the perfect time (at the end, of course!).

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  20. Whoa!! I LOVE Ash an all this matter about darkness and discovering his real personality is exciting! Thanks for your effort Julie! The dark prince is prince of my heart too.

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  21. i enjoyed reading "summer's crossing" and puck happens to be my favorite character. do you plan on writing a book in puck's perspective at some point?

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  22. Thank you so much! I love how you are giving all the team ash fans *Holds up hand* a book that gives us a look into what the real Ash is like. We all love you!

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  23. Wow... I have always wanted to see Ash in his own POV. From Meggies point of view, he is the perfect prince charming. Which, I really don't like. I always was looking foreword to see the story be told through Ash~ Julie, no matter how you potray Ash. I shall defiantly love it because it would be a good change for a always perfect character like him showing some insecurities and uneasiness. Don't get me wrong, Ash bleeds awesomeness, that's why I wanna know more about him. Wow I make absolutely no sense at all. *deadpan*

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  24. Awesome post. I can't wait to read The Iron Knight, and I think I'll love this book even more than the original trilogy. Why? Simple: I love Ash. I've wanted to know his thoughts for so long, and now, here it is! It's going to be amazing, because we'll finally know how he feels. We'll finally know the REAL Ash, his feelings and thoughts.
    I just wanted to say that, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to know the Winter Prince more deeply. It'll be a breath-taking experience.
    So, thank you ;)

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  25. julie you rock! Thanks so much for writing about Ash! *swoons over the picture* I love Ash soooooo much! The good thing is that we will get an inside look on Ash's thoughts, well everything is good actually! Oh and how do you request the Iron Knight on Netgalley, because I think I got declined but. I'm not sure. Still you rock Julie Kagawa!

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  26. I loved Ash in The Iron Knight! :D He had me worried during some of it, but other than that I thought he was wonderful! I loved reading from his POV, so much, and getting to read his thoughts about things was just so amazing! Seeing how he actually viewed his relationship with Puck was pretty interesting too, and I loved that! :D Ash is definitely by my favourite character, so getting to read a whole book from his POV was pure awesome! :D

    I'm so glad The Iron Knight was on NetGalley...I'm not sure if I would've lasted until its release :P haha I do already have it pre-ordered though! I can't wait to hold the finished copy in my hands! :D

    Thank you so much for writing The Iron Knight, Julie, and I'm glad that your editor talked you into it. ;)

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  27. I have never wished that I had a blog more in my life...I soooooo wish I could get this book through Netgalley!

    I am looking forward to Ash's point of view, I think it is always great to really get to know a character. Just like any relationship...unless you know the intimate details about a persons life, and know them so well you know how they will react in a given situation...then you don't have enough to base a lasting love on. Ash has been so mysterious, and while that is intriguing and catches a persons attention, you can't base a lifelong relationship on mystery becuase it will just leave you with frustration...and I so want to see Meghan and Ash's love to have the chance to last a lifetime!

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  28. all I have to say is that I am more than excited!!!!
    I'm currently reading it but I don't want to devour it like I know I would...if I had a mobile e-reader but rather I'll slowly savour and taste every single letter that you wrote on this book and squeeze until I absorb all the love you poured over them!!
    taking it one gremlin at a time you know!? hehe

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  29. I wish you didn't put up The Iron Knight for advance readers because it feels a bit unfair that they get to read it now while we still have to wait for at least 2 months. :'(

    I still LOVE The Iron Fey series and I will forever LOVE The Iron Fey series. ^_^

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  30. Julie I will love anything you write about it but cannot wait to read this book. I will like to know what Ash was thinking this is a fantastic idea. I of course are no longer a young adult I was one many moons ago but that won't stop me from reading your books have always been fascinated by fairies and I don't think that will ever go away. I clap and clap :D

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  31. I think you did a great job with Ash in The Iron Knight. He wasn't perfect and he was everything realistic and what I imagined him to be. As a Winter prince, there was definitely something in there that I wasn't expecting and he even shocked me a bit, but it shows you the difference between who he was and who he is now.

    I love Ash and I love him even more after The Iron Knight--a great ending to a fantastic series.

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  32. I am absolutely excited to read Ash's POV!! He is by far my fav character in the books (even though i love Grim, Meg, and Puck!).... I really think reading from his POV will let us learn a ton more about him. I love that he's traveling with Puck b/c normally we only see Meg's observations about how the 2 boys behave towards each other, but now we get to see what Ash is think when arguing/ maybe trying to kill Puck. Anyway I think that no matter the differences b/w how the reader and the author view Ash, the story will still be amazing!!!... Im kinda sad that there will only be one Ash POV book. :) From the small excerpt you've posted I alredy love Ash even more... Reading about how he views everything and learning more about his past life is worth any small issues I may have with him! :)

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  33. Really excited about Iron Knight! I do wish there were more Puck POV stories (I'm rather partial to him because I did play Puck once in a school play - we were all girls in the school) but it's quite intriguing as to how you'll actually portray the high-and-mighty ice prince as himself for a change.

    Of course, I can't actually read it on the day it's released in the US (I'm from Manila), but I can't wait!

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  34. I can't wait to read Iron Knight but I am afraid of what Meghan will be like in Ash's POV

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  35. aura giselle claorJuly 24, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    I really am hoping to read the iron knight. I loved the other books, but loved the iron queen most, it was so heart wrenching

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  36. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ash's POV because all us Ash fangirls knew this vulnerable, devoted, love-you-with-everything-I-am prince was there behind that icy facade.

    The Iron Knight is pure genius! I thought The Iron Queen would always be my favorite, but now it's a tie.

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  37. I am really excited to read Ash's POV and finally get to unravel the mysterious ice prince. He has a;ways been one of my favorite characters and to finally know how he views himself and why he acts the way he does is absolutely brilliant.When you you first read about him in the book he's all dark and mysterious and kind of on lockdown.And to read about his past and fears and reasons for what he does will give readers a better perspective of how Ash really is outside if Meghan's POV.It will be an honor to read The Iron Knight and it will truly take everything I have not to go shredding through the book.

    I cannot wait to read the fourth book and hope to finally get the truth of Ash's scars.(literally and metaphorically.)

    Love the series and always will! :)

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  38. Ash is by far my favorite character and hero of the books, so I think it's fantastic to see things from his point-of-view. Cannot wait! Thank you, Julie, for this wonderful series!!

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  39. Ash has always been one of my favorite characters in the series. He is a mysterious,magical,closed off,odd faerie. And when first introduced all you see is this amazingly sexy guy from Meghan,s POV and not how he really is and it is like that throughout the series and it always makes me go back and think about why he acts this way and what his past is like. Honestly I think Ash is one of the most mystifying characters in the book which I think is one of the reasons why everybody loves him. And I think that Ash's POV is brilliant because with it we can finally see how he really is and why he's that way, not how Meghan sees him which is the really hot and mysterious faerie, but as HIMSELF.

    Thank You Julie Kagawa!!!For the really awesome series!!!

    :)Team Ash 4ever!!!!!!!

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  40. I have a library near my house and all 3 books are there. so i took them out and read them all and now i can't stop reading them over and over again so i want the whole series for Christmas to be able to read them whenever i want and not have to return them to the library. I love the series soo much. I can't wait for the 4 th book to come out on ash's POV. I love him he's so mysterious, but i also love Puck/Robbie since he is so funny, grim since he is just you know a cat ;) and Meghan chase since she is turbborn in a good way and cares so much for everyone ales and not only herself... like in the 3rd book when she let ash go because she knew he would have to die with her. I just love these books and the series hope you keep writting :)

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  41. The first thing I would like to say is I love anything you write, and thanks for these awesome books. The second thing is I know this book it will be one of my favourite, like the other three.
    I can't wait for read it. I so excited!

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  42. im very excited to read from ash's pov! of all the books ive read which is a few but not too many ash is hands down my favorite love intrest <3 so i really dont think i could be disappointed im just excited to be able to get to know him on a more "Real" i guess lol level and to be able to understand him better :) im stoked!

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  43. Michele (CanadianTwiMom)July 29, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Julie, having read The Iron Knight early, I can say you did Ash justice -- BIG TIME! I wish I could say more but that would spoil it for others but I still remain utterly, 100%, irrevocably devoted to Ash! Team Puck'ers (lol!) will love The Iron Knight too! Superb ending to an amazing (and MY favourite) book series! I will also say that I'm very sad... that it's all over!

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  44. I'm reading this at the moment thanks to NetGalley *hands netgalley an award for greatest people in the world* and I'm loving it. I was always Team PUSH to begin with, I never really made up my mind, but it wasn't until The Iron Queen that I finally decided. And now, that I'm reading Iron Knight, if it's possible to love Ash more, then I think I do. He's wonderful, even though he's Fae...he seems human. All of his emotions being laid out, getting inside his head. It's beautiful, you've done a great job Miss Kagawa...well done :)
    -Jessica

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